Cold blast causes havoc on roads
A SHOCK blast of snow and hail hit Dunedin on Monday night, coating the roads and causing more than 30 crashes in and around the city.
A police spokeswoman said the crashes ranged from cars sliding into other vehicles, fences and lampposts through to more serious accidents yesterday morning.
Quick thinking was believed to have prevented critical injuries in a crash in Henley caused by black ice.
Sergeant Matt Lee, of Dunedin, said a 39yearold man was driving south in AllantonWaihola Rd (State Highway 1) about 5.15am yesterday when he lost control on black ice on the Taieri River bridge.
The vehicle spun and hit the barrier, knocking out concrete columns.
A 50yearold man driving a truck, also heading south, took evasive action.
The truck still hit the van, but critical injuries were believed to have been avoided thanks to the man’s manoeuvre.
The driver of the van called emergency services and was trapped in the vehicle until they arrived.
Both lanes were blocked, but reopened about 9am.
It was suspected at least one passenger had a leg injury, Sgt Lee said.
A St John spokesman said four people were treated and transported to Dunedin Hospital.
One patient had serious injuries, two had moderate injuries and one had minor injuries, he said.
There was another crash in the same road at 11.50pm the night before.
Sgt Lee said a 25yearold man escaped injury after his vehicle slid on ice on the bridge and hit a barrier.
Three people were hurt when a car went down a bank at the intersection of Church Rd and SH1 on the Kilmog at Merton about 9.15am yesterday.
Two ambulances, two rapid response vehicles and one helicopter responded, a St John spokeswoman said.
One patient was taken to Dunedin Hospital by helicopter in a serious condition and two people were taken by road in a moderate condition.
A Dunedin City Council spokesman said contractors worked through the night gritting, sweeping and ploughing streets.
The Otago Regional Council suspended bus services on Monday night because of dangerous conditions and yesterday morning hill suburb services remained significantly affected.
Blueskin Bay community emergency response coordinator Mandy MayhemBullock said about about 15 travellers stayed at the Waitati Hall overnight after the Northern Motorway was closed.
More travellers were offered assistance but stayed in their vehicles, including a bus containing about 50 people.
Many of the travellers were students returning from midsemester break, Ms MayhemBullock said. — Additional reporting staff reporters