Irishman dies in overnight crash

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An Irish national living in central Otago's Ida Valley has died in a car accident early this morning.

Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash.

The 23-year-old man was trapped under the Landrover Discovery 4WD he was driving on Stillburn Road, Poolburn, when it failed to take a bend, leaving the rural, unsealed road and rolling through a fence into a paddock.

He died at the scene. A 21-year-old passenger escaped with minor injuries.

Both were Irish nationals working in the Ida Valley.

They were found by others in a vehicle travelling in front of them, who returned to find them a few minutes after the crash. They had to drive to a nearby farmhouse to raise the alarm, as there was no cellphone reception.

Alcohol was believed to be a factor, and possibly a lack of seat belts, Alexandra police Sergeant Ian Kerrisk said.

Police are likely to be at the scene most of the day. No names have yet been released.

- NZPA