Motorist dies in crash near Tai Tapu

A motorist has died after his vehicle left the road and crashed into a flooded ditch near Tai Tapu, south of Christchurch, on Sunday morning.

Police were called to a location on Rhodes Road, Tai Tapu, at approximately 10.30am yesterday [Sunday 16 June] after a member of the public noticed a vehicle upside down in a drainage ditch alongside the road. The driver was found deceased inside the vehicle.

He was Oliver Steven Mills, aged 18, of Tai Tapu.

Police say it appears the car he was driving left the road, flipped and came to rest in the water-filled ditch. There is no indication that any other vehicle was involved.

Enquiries are continuing, and Police say it is not yet known whether alcohol or speed were factors in the crash. Road conditions were very wet at the time. The crash is believed to have occurred between approximately 1.00am and 7.00am on Sunday morning.

ENDS