Weekend crash victims named

File photo / APN

Two people died in road accidents over the weekend.

Craig Matthew Wilson, 27, died after the car he was a passenger in lost control on a corner in the Waioeka Gorge, 50km south of Opotiki, on Friday. The car collided with a southbound vehicle after one of the cars crossed the centre line of State Highway 2 at 7pm.

A passenger was taken to Gisborne Hospital with serious injuries while the four people in the other car received minor injuries.

Whakatane police serious crash unit are investigating the cause of the crash.

Nicholas John Roulston, 23, was killed yesterday when a car hit a large tree in Rakaia, 50km south of Christchurch, about 1.20pm.

The car caught fire and locals helped pull the driver to safety and put the blaze out. The driver was airlifted to Christchurch Hospital with serious injuries.

The two men were travelling towards Methven on Line Road when they missed a moderate corner.

Police believe speed was a factor in that crash and are investigating.

A 20-year-old woman was also in a serious condition in Dunedin Hospital after her car collided with a Toyota Surf 4WD vehicle on Highcliff Road, Dunedin, yesterday.

- NZPA