Four injured in crashes; motorists face long waits

QUEENSTOWN

WET roads from persistent rain in the Queenstown Lakes area may have contributed to three crashes that left four people injured, one seriously, and caused long delays for holiday traffic yesterday.

A police media spokeswoman said the first incident occurred on the Gibbston Highway (State Highway 6) just before 1pm when a car and truck collided at the intersection with Chard Rd.

A St John spokeswoman said one person with serious injuries was flown to Dunedin Hospital in the Otago Regional Rescue Helicopter, while a second person with minor injuries was taken to Lakes District Hospital by ambulance.

The road was closed for about two and ahalf hours.

At 2.20pm, a car ended up on its roof in a ditch after crashing off the GlenorchyQueenstown road at the intersection with Geary Lane, near Closeburn, about 2.20pm. The driver was not injured.

About 20 minutes later, a car and van collided on the Arrowtown side of the Crown Range road, near the intersection with Eastburn Rd, leaving one person trapped for a time.

The St John spokeswoman said the Otago Regional Rescue Helicopter was called to the scene but was not needed.

A person with moderate injuries and another with minor injuries were taken to Lakes District Hospital by ambulance.

Motorists were told by police to expect the road to remain closed until about 5pm, prompting hundreds to turn back and take the alternative route between Wanaka and Queenstown.