Canterbury crashes kill five people in three days - ‘just horrendous’

Police and Fire and Emergency New Zealand investigating the crash on Main North Rd, north of Christchurch. Photo / George Heard

A third person is confirmed to have died after a serious crash north of Christchurch, in what its mayor called a “traumatic” experience for the community.

This follows a nearby crash on Friday evening that killed two people after a school bus carrying high school students collided with a car.

One of the victims of the school bus crash was Jesse Crossan, a Christchurch man heavily involved in the city’s music scene.

Emergency services were called to the most recent crash on Main North Rd in Sefton around 6.50pm on Sunday.

Police said that two people had died as a result of the crash, while a third person had sustained serious injuries.

But the Herald understands the third person has since died.

Crossan is being described as a “remarkable human being” who contributed greatly to Christchurch music.

His friend and local DJ, Nick Flack, told the Herald Crossan was a great friend to many in the music scene and had a passion that was “infectious”.

He said he inspired many others to pursue their own musical dreams.

“Jesse was always willing to lend a helping hand to his fellow friends, whether it was by sharing his knowledge and expertise or by simply being a supportive friend,” he said in a statement.

“He was a true collaborator of life who loved nothing more than being with his friends and creating beautiful memories together.”

Crossan was also a keen barber, Flack said.

Emergency services at the scene of a serious crash on Main North Rd, north of Christchurch. Photo / George Heard

“Jesse’s contributions to the Christchurch music and barbering scene will never be forgotten. He was a shining example of what it means to be a true authentic human being and a true friend.”

The bus had been carrying Rangiora High School students, it’s understood six students were on the bus at the time of the crash.

School principal Bruce Kearney said the school was following a trauma incident plan and process - with the focus being to ensure the students were supported.

“We are very fortunate to have a fantastic team of counsellors who have been informed and will engage with the students and families over the weekend to offer support and guidance that will continue on for some time.

“The school will also reach out to the bus company to offer any support we can as they will also be working through this incredibly traumatic experience.”

The principal said it was heartening to see other local schools reach out to offer support.

“Finally, I just want to say that our thoughts are prayers are with the families of the two people that passed away. It really is a terrible tragedy that will affect many families.”

Jesse Crossan, a Christchurch musician, was among those killed over the weekend in Canterbury crashes. Photo / Supplied

Canterbury rural area commander Inspector Peter Cooper said the crashes were “horrendous”.

“There’s five families in Canterbury that have lost loved ones that will be suffering but there’s also the impact it has on the attending staff having to go to these crashes, it certainly impacts them.

“It’s a real feeling of sadness, people are losing their lives and families are having to deal with such tragedies far too often.”

Two fire brigades were called out to both crashes in the Sefton region, volunteers from Woodend and Rangiora.

Woodend’s chief fire officer, Shayne Robinson, said there had been a spike in crashes around Sefton since the turn of the new year.

”They’re individual crashes with different causes, so there’s no pattern aside from the high number at this stage,” he said.

”Wet roads and weather will play a part in winter, but [the crash on Friday] was in good conditions.”

Robinson confirmed 12 officers from each of the two brigades responded to each crash over the weekend. The Woodend crew consisted of mostly experienced volunteers with a few newer team members.

He said while the crew hope everybody walks away from any crash they attend, the wreck was an early indicator of the outcome.

Shayne Robinson said there had been a spike in crashes around Sefton since the turn of the new year. Photo / Kurt Bayer

”We try to manage the speed of exposure of our team, the seasoned as opposed to those who are new, we try to limit their exposure,” he said.

”Sometimes it’s physically impossible, we were lucky to have an experienced crew on both days.”

Fire and Emergency staff that attend fatal crashes will typically be offered counselling services, this was seen following the Geraldine campervan crash that killed three in May.

Volunteers have been offered the services in this case also, Robinson said, it will be up to the individual member whether they use it.

”It is offered, we do welfare check-ins but they are aware of it and may take it up,” he said.

”It does take a toll, there’s a time each individual needs to recover. We’re all human and take those emotions on board, there’s a process that we do to deal with it and each one handles it differently.”

The district’s mayor, Dan Gordon, told NZME the crashes were “very sad news” that no community nor family would want to hear.

“They’re traumatic incidents, there’s been a loss of life and there will be an inquiry but my thoughts are with the family and those who lost loved ones,” he said.

“It’s something distressing for any family and community.”

Emergency services attend a crash involving a car and a school bus near the Canterbury town of Sefton. Photo / Kurt Bayer

The Sefton community was described by Gordon as “caring”, he expects they will rally with support for any involved.

“Our emergency services are locals in the community so it’s obviously traumatic for them to turn out to incidents like this where there’s loss of life.”

In the latest fatal accident, Main North Rd was forced to close last night due to the crash but had since reopened.

Inquiries into the circumstances of the incident are ongoing.

Sefton, roughly 35km north of Christchurch, is a small community of less than 300 people. It saw two others killed on a nearby road when a car and school bus collided on Friday. Several patients were being treated for their injuries after the crash happened shortly after 3.30pm at the intersection of Harleston and Broad Rds.