Crash causes huge delays on SH1
A former Defence Force medic was among the first people on the scene of a serious crash near Kaikōura that closed State Highway 1 for several hours yesterday.
Karis Da Silva said she helped stabilise one of the crash victims at the scene of the truck and ute crash near the Clarence River, north of Kaikōura.
Da Silva applied a tourniquet to the driver of the ute.
‘‘There was a lot of bleeding . . . I’m really glad we got the tourniquet on,’’ she said.
Da Silva said a passenger had got out of the vehicle and ‘‘seemed alright’’, but the former medic identified internal injuries, possible cracked ribs causing difficulty breathing. ‘‘They both needed urgent care when I left the scene,’’ Da Silva said.
‘‘It’s been a while, I felt a bit rusty.’’
Da Silva, who was reluctant be named, said: ‘‘I really hope [the patients] are OK.’’
One patient in a critical condition was flown to Wellington hospital.
Another patient in a moderate condition was flown to Christchurch hospital. A Christchurch hospital spokesman said the patient was in a ‘‘comfortable condition’’.
Christchurch Transport Operations Centre senior travel information advisor Steven Mann said the road remained closed until late yesterday.
‘‘After a considerable amount of work the road is expected to reopen at approximately 3.30pm,’’ Mann said yesterday.
Marlborough Highway Patrol constable Andy Holmes said a southbound truck and trailer and a northbound ute had collided.
‘‘All we can say at this stage until it’s been fully investigated, is that there’s been a collision between a northbound and southbound vehicle and that we’ve got some occupants with serious injuries,’’ Holmes said.
One person had serious injuries, the others had less serious injuries, Holmes said.
At least one person had been trapped in the ute and had to be cut out, he said.
The truck driver was uninjured.
Three rescue helicopters were called to the scene.
Misty, drizzling weather kept most people in their cars, but didn’t stop some from trying to take a look at the accident.
The road had been blocked by the trailers of the truck.
Police were called to the scene at about 9.30am.
At least 3.5km of traffic was backed up heading north toward Blenheim causing severe delays for motorists.