Fatal crash in Southern District, 10:00am 1 Jan 2009

 Balclutha Police and other emergency services are attending a fatal crash which was reported at 1000 this morning but beleived to have occured sometime overnight. One vehicle was involved and the sole occupant died at the scene.
The accident scene was on Cannibal Bay Road, Clutha.
Issued By: Inspector Warren Kemp

New Zealand Police Alert 12:45pm 1 Jan 2009 Southern

Location of incident: CANNIBAL BAY ROAD

Incident type: FATAL CRASH

PRESS RELEASE

1st January 2009

At about 10.00am this morning Emergency services were called to attend a fatal motor vehicle crash on Cannibal Bay Road, near Owaka.
A 51 year old Balclutha man had been travelling north in his four wheel drive motor vehicle on Cannibal Bay Road towards Awahuri Flat Road.
He was the sole occupant of the vehicle and failed to negotiate a moderate right hand bend.
He went off the road and down a steep incline, rolling the vehicle a number of times before coming to rest about 50 metres from the road. He has died from injuries sustained in the crash.
Initial enquiries have revealed that the crash may have happened one or two hours after midnight.
An investigation is underway to clarify the cause of the crash. This investigation involves Owaka, Clinton, and Balclutha Police along with a Serious Crash Investigator, and the Coroner.
If anyone has information about the crash please ring the Balclutha Police.
The deceased man's name will not be released until all his next of kin have been notified.

Sergeant Martin Bull
Balclutha Police
(03)418-0203

Issued By: Inspector Warren Kemp