Man Who Died In Crash Named

Police have released the name of the 22-year-old man who died in a crash on
State Highway 6 about 12km from Wanaka early yesterday morning.

He was Rutger Telford Hale. Mr Hale was originally from Auckland and had been
living in the Hawea area for only a few weeks.

Mr Hale died after being struck by an object that smashed through the
windscreen of the dark blue Subaru legacy station wagon that he was driving.

He was travelling with his 26-year-old partner when the incident occurred.

Police between 6am and 7am this morning conducted an area canvas stopping
vehicles along State Highway 6 in the vicinity of where the crash occurred to
ask motorists if they had seen either Mr Hale's Subaru or the late model
white 4 x 4 ute which was believed to have been in the locality at the time
the crash occurred.

"We talked with around 55 people who were driving this part of State Highway
6 and intend to follow up on a number of positive inquiries that relate to
the information we received," says Detective Sergeant Brian Cameron.

Police staff today are also visiting local addresses in the area where the
crash occurred to see if anyone has information that might assist.

"We're still keen for anyone to contact us if they have any information that
might assist in relation to our investigation of this crash. We're also still
interested to speak with the driver of the ute," Detective Sergeant Cameron
says.

A post-mortem will be carried out this afternoon on Mr Hale's body.