KEY POINTS:
Speed and fatigue were likely factors in the Central Otago road deaths of two Southland shearing gang members in this morning, police say.
Shearer Stewart Hetaraka Smith, 20, of Mataura and Lavenia Setefano, 19, of Gore, were killed about 6.15am when a van containing six shearers rolled.
All six were thrown from the van, which came to rest in a paddock. Mr Smith and Ms Setefano were killed instantly, while three others seriously injured were flown by helicopter to Dunedin Hospital.
Another person, with moderate injuries, was taken to Dunstan Hospital, in Clyde.
The van was between Ophir and Oturehua when it rolled on a straight road about 4km east of Poolburn, Alexandra police said.
Police wanted to speak to the survivors when they were able, Detective Sergeant Derek Shaw of the Central Otago CIB said.
Alexandra police said they also wanted to hear from anyone who saw a light green van on the road between Ophir and the crash site this morning.
"Police are currently keeping an open mind as to the cause of the crash, but the factors of speed and fatigue are strong considerations," Mr Shaw said.
"The possibility of sunstrike, given the direction of travel and the time of day was considered, but is unlikely to be a strong factor."
Police were examining the "horrific and tragic crash scene", with the road not expected to open until early this evening.
- NZPA
