Mataura, Southland - Fatal Crash

At 2.45 pm yesterday emergency services were called to a 2 car crash approx 2kms south of Mataura on State Highway One.

A Nissan Terrano being driven by a sole male occupant has had a head on crash with a Nissan ute that contained two male occupants.

Indications at the scene show the Nissan ute was traveling south in the southbound lane of State highway One. The Nissan Terrano has been traveling in a northerly direction and has traveled into the south bound lane and struck the Nissan ute.

The 63 year old male driver of the Nissan Terrano died at the scene. The two occupants from the Nissan ute were taken to Southland hospital. The 29 year old male driver was air ambulanced from the scene suffering serious leg injuries , his 65 year old father who was a passenger suffered minor injuries was taken by road. Both were from the Lawrence area.

Fire service equipment was required to cut both drivers from the vehicles.

SH 1 has remained closed for the afternoon to enable serious crash investigators to carry out a scene examination.

All factors including speed, vehicle condition and road positions will be examined to establish the cause. Both vehicles were extensively damaged.

Enquiries are being completed to contact next of kin and names are not available for release.