Man and baby die in serious crash near Invercargill

Thursday, 3 September 2020

Two people, a 22-year-old man and a 5-month-old baby, have died following a four-vehicle crash on State Highway 6 near Invercargill on Wednesday afternoon.

A teenager remains in critical condition in Dunedin Hospital.

Police confirmed the man and baby died in the crash that happened about 150m north of the Makarewa Bridge about 4pm.

Three other people sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the crash, police said.

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The road remains closed on Thursday morning, with diversions in place.

Police are continuing to make inquiries and are working closely with the families and Victim Support.

Anyone with information that may assist police is asked to call them on 105.

The multi-vehicle crash happened between Counsell Rd and North Makarewa Grove Bush Rd.

On Wednesday, two people were flown to Southland Hospital in critical condition, and one was later transferred to Dunedin Hospital by helicopter.

A Fire and Emergency spokesman said on Wednesday that some of those involved in the crash had been trapped in two vehicles.

Police, St John Ambulance, Fire and Emergency NZ staff all responded to the scene and two helicopters were dispatched.

The site of the crash is within metres of a fatal crash on Good Friday 25 years ago.

Three woman were killed in that crash and the male driver of the other vehicle was sentenced to a two and a half-year jail sentence for their manslaughter.

The two cars had crashed head-on and it was found the male driver, who was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident, had crossed the centre line.