Two men killed in 'high-speed' crash near Glenavy, South Canterbury

Tuesday, 26 December 2017

In an accident police described as 'preventable', two men were killed in a high-speed crash near Glenavy in South Cantebury on Boxing Day.

Death was probably 'instantaneous' for the two men killed in a high-speed crash in South Canterbury on Boxing Day.

Mid-South Canterbury area commander, Inspector Dave Gaskin, described the crash on the Waimate Highway section of State Highway 1 near Glenavy as 'preventable' and that an innocent motorist had lost his life as the holiday road toll climbed to seven.

'It appears to be a high-speed crash where the north bound vehicle has crossed the centre line,' Gaskin said.

Mid-South Canterbury area commander Inspector Dave Gaskin said the crash was preventable and caused by a speeding driver whose car crossed the centre line.

'They were dead at the scene. I'd say death was instantaneous.

'One vehicle was disintegrated and one vehicle was cut in half.

'It was a high-impact crash.'

He said it was clearly a preventable crash.

Emergency services speak to motorists in Glenavy following a crash that killed two people just north of the town.

'A motorist was driving too fast. A male, and it appears he was not wearing a seatbelt, crossed the centre line and killed an innocent person.

'I urge people to take their time to get to where they have to go safely.'

The scene of the double fatality car smash just north of Glenavy on State highway 1 in South Canterbury. One car was cut in two and the other disintegrated in the crash, police say.

The road toll of seven people in the four days since the Christmas break began adds to an already high tally for the year. Before Christmas, the road toll for the year was at 368, already well ahead of last year's 311.

Emergency services were called to this morning's fatal crash, between Carrolls Rd and Stangers Rd, about 8am.

Police at the scene of a crash on the Waimate Highway where two people were killed on Boxing Day.

Glenavy Volunteer Fire Brigade chief fire officer Bevin Joyce said 10 personnel and two trucks were deployed about 8.21am.

Diversions are in place following a fatal crash near Glenavy.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said one crew from Glenavy and one from Waimate attended the scene.

Speaking from the Glenavy station, Joyce said firefighters were stood down from the crash scene about 9.50am.

'The initial report was that a car had rolled and it was on fire,' Joyce said.

'When we got there was a two car motor vehicle accident.

'There was just a lot of smoke and steam, 2 kilometres north of Glenavy.

'We secured the scene and searched for occupants.

'The north bound vehicle had broken up on impact.'

Kurt Brown, who lives about 500m from the crash site, said he was having breakfast when he heard a 'noisy car' go past.

A few minutes later, he heard sirens going in the same direction.

'We followed the fire brigade about 500m to 1km up the road, and it was just around the corner.'

There was 'nothing left' of one of the cars involved, he said.

There are local diversions in place and the highway is expected to remain closed for 'some hours'.

Northbound traffic should use Old Ferry Rd and southbound drivers are being diverted along Glenavy Tawai Rd.

The Serious Crash Unit will investigate.