At approx 8.30am this morning a bus with 13 people crashed in icy conditions just north of Te Anau Downs on State Highway 94, on the Te Anau Milford Road. One passenger died at the scene. Four passengers were seriously injured and taken by helicopter to Southland and Dunedin Hospitals.
The other passengers were taken to Te Anau to receive medical treatment for minor injuries. The driver and all passengers are Korean nationals who were travelling from Te Anau to Milford Sound. Police crash investigators are at the scene. Enquiries are continuing into the cause of the crash, said Senior Sgt Bruce Terry. Senior Sgt Terry said road conditions throughout Northern Southland are extremely icy and there have been five crashes today.
Two have been minor non-injury crashes. A mini-van with six passengers crashed at 8.16am five kilometres west of Mossburn on State Highway 94, the Te Anau Mossburn Highway. The van rolled exiting a corner on black ice. All passengers were shaken and received minor injuries. At 8.30am a bus crashed 1km south of Athol, State Highway 6, on the Lumsden Queenstown Highway.
The road has since been closed due to severe black ice. Eighteen passengers from China and a driver were in the bus. One received a fractured cheek, one concussion and several others received minor cuts and bruises. They have been taken to Lakes District Hospital. Enquiries are continuing. Driving conditions continue to be very hazardous due to shaded areas and heavy fog around Te Anau, Senior Sgt Terry said. "We urge people to drive cautiously in these areas. Police have been shocked at the speed drivers have been travelling at and at the manner of driving, given the very heavy frost." ENDS