KEY POINTS:
Black ice is being blamed for two fatal crashes in Southland this morning.
Senior Sergeant Olaf Jensen said the first crash happened at 12.50am on State Highway 94 between Lumsden and Mossburn and involved a van rolling on a straight section of road.
The van's male driver, the sole occupant, was killed.
The second crash happened at 8.35am on State Highway 96, about 10km from Winton, and involved a ute with three male occupants.
One was killed and the other two taken to Southland Hospital in Invercargill. Their conditions were not known.
Mr Jensen said Southland police had attended 15 crashes in the past 24 hours where black ice was believed to be a factor. No others involved serious injuries.
"Roads in rural Southland have been the worst affected," he said.
"Motorists must be reminded that it is winter and ice will be encountered due to freezing weather conditions.
"Speed must be reduced, therefore more time should be allowed to get to your destinations."
- NZPA
