Woman who crashed car into ditch named

The 52-year-old woman who died after crashing her car into a ditch in Linton near Palmerston North yesterday has been named by police.

She was Brenda Evans from Tokomaru, 2lkm southwest of Palmeston North.

Police said witnesses saw Ms Evans' vehicle drift across the road into a ditch on SH57 just before 6pm.

She was the sole occupant and no one else was involved.

The incident was still being investigated and has been referred to the coroner.

Ms Evans was one of three people killed on the roads within 34 hours.

Taiwanese tourist, 48-year-old Hsiu-Yuch Lee, died in hospital after being hit by a bus in Queenstown on Tuesday night.

Police said she arrived in the country on Monday as part of an organised tour group and was travelling with her husband and two adult children. They arrived in Queenstown the next day.

Police are seeking witnesses, particularly a bus passenger believed to be a regular user of the service, and a driver of a light-coloured four-door vehicle, similar to a Toyota Corolla.

Sergeant Brian Cameron said the investigation was in its early stages and no decision on charges had been made.

"We are conscious that this is a time of terrible stress and grief for all those involved, however as in any investigation, police must make certain of all the facts, before any determination as to cause is made."

In Northland, a 72-year-old Englishwoman, visiting friends and relatives, was killed on impact in a two-car head on crash yesterday afternoon.

The crash happened about 2.15pm on State Highway 12 at Mamaranui, 20km northwest of Dargaville.

Police said the woman was scheduled to fly back to London from Auckland today.

Her name has not yet been released as next of kin have to be notified.

- NZPA