Three people are dead and two others are seriously injured after a two-vehicle, head-on crash near Geraldine that has closed a state highway. Video / George Heard
Members of South Korea’s national ski team were involved in a head-on crash between two vehicles near Geraldine yesterday where three people died.
The Herald has learned that members of the team, coaches and others were travelling in convoy after a day of training when the crash happened.
It isunclear what caused the crash, and the identities of the three people who died and whether they are athletes or wider team members are yet to be confirmed.
A source close to the team spoke to the Herald from South Korea.
“As you know they were all ski racers, it’s very sad news for our ski community,” he said.
Aoraki Area Commander Inspector Vicki Walker said the vehicles – a 4WD and a people-mover – were travelling in opposite directions when the crash occurred.
”The vehicles have collided and the investigation will focus on exactly how that occurred,” she said.
Police are working to formally identify the victims today.
The deaths have also been referred to the Coroner.
”Three of the deceased were travelling in the people-mover,” said Walker.
“Another person travelling with them was critically injured.”
A source confirmed members of South Korea’s national ski team were involved in the crash. She had not yet heard who had died.
She said the crash was witnessed by a number of other team members including a recent Olympic competitor.
The team are in New Zealand to compete at the Winter Games in Queenstown at Cardrona, Coronet Peak and The Remarkables.
She confirmed yesterday that the three people who died were part of a group visiting the district - and other members of that group were following behind the vehicle at the time of the crash.
”We’re wrapping support around them and will be speaking with them to help establish what occurred,” said Walker.
”Incidents like this are hard on everyone involved, and our communities too.
The two surviving crash victims were airlifted to Christchurch Hospital in a critical and serious condition respectively. Photo / George Heard
A Hato Hone St John spokesperson confirmed two helicopters, four ambulances, a rapid response vehicle and an operations manager had responded.
A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesperson confirmed about 16 firefighters also responded to the scene.
The two-vehicle crash happened shortly before 8.30am on August 14 on SH79, north of Geraldine near the intersection of Keen Rd and Main North Rd.
Anna Leask is a Christchurch-based reporter who covers national crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for 18 years with a particular focus on family violence, child abuse, sexual violence, homicides, mental health and youth crime. She writes, hosts and produces the award-winning podcast A Moment In Crime, released monthly on nzherald.co.nz
Downing Street has been forced to deny that UK Chancellor Rachel Reeve's tears during PM's Questions came after a row with British Prime Minister earlier in the day.
