One dead and three injured in Alexandra crash

One teenager is dead and three others are injured after a road smash in central Otago last evening

A car driven by a 16-year-old left State Highway 8 just north of Alexandra about 9pm.

The car slammed into trees on the roadside. The force of the impact sent its engine flying about 30 metres.

A 14-year-old girl from Alexandra died instantly. Her 15-year-old sister and the driver are in a critical condition.

The fourth person in the car, a 14-year-old girl from Alexandra was thrown clear, landing on the road. She is in a serious condition.

All three survivors have been flown to Dunedin Hospital.

Senior Constable Stuart Main of Alexandra police says the accident site will be closed until at least midday today.

He says at this stage, it appears that speed and the way the car was being driven contributed to the accident.

- NEWSTALK ZB, NZPA