Crimeline
More Brewster rescues
Rescuers have been called to the Mount Brewster and Brewster Track area twice in the past week. Three climbers had to be rescued near the summit of Mt Brewster on Saturday afternoon (13 December) after they became bluffed – stuck with cliffs above, below and on both sides, a Maritime NZ spokesperson says. They weren’t injured, but a rescue helicopter was sent with Aoraki/Mount Cook Alpine Cliff Rescue team members on board. “Upon arrival, the ACR team stood off as the rotor wash from the helicopter may have put the bluffed group at risk,” he says.
Local mountain guides, who were already on the scene, volunteered to camp overnight with the party. “They accompanied them down the mountain the next day.” It was unclear where the trio were from.
An Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter also airlifted a person from near Brewster Hut after a fall there just after 9am last Thursday (11 December). A St John Ambulance spokesperson says the patient was flown to Aspiring Medical Centre in Wanaka. Their condition was unavailable.
Distraction - Multiple vehicle crash
A 24-year-old Central Otago man was charged with operating a vehicle carelessly after a multiple vehicle crash on the Gibbston Highway at 11.20am last Thursday (11 December). Constable Amanda Shute says. the driver of one of the vehicles became distracted by a noise in his vehicle. “As he has begun looking for the source of the noise a pair of earmuffs he was wearing on his head allegedly pushed his hat down obstructing his vision,” Shute says. “He has allegedly veered into the opposite lane and collided with a wing mirror of one vehicle and then into a second vehicle.” The man will appear in the Queenstown District Court on 30 January.
Singaporean woman crashes
The same day a 27-year-old Singaporean woman was issued with an infringement notice after allegedly losing control of her vehicle and crashing through a windy section of the Glenorchy Road, flipping the vehicle on its side, just before 6.30pm, Shute says.
Distractions lead to disaster – Police out in force
Police are urging Christmas holiday motorists to keep phones and other distractions in a place where drivers can’t be tempted, like the back seat, to be patient, stick to the speed limit and not take risks.
“Distractions can lead to disaster,” Sergeant Dylan Hannah-Jones says. “Use your Bluetooth and wait until you’re parked before checking your messages. Speakerphone is not hands-free.
“This holiday season is about enjoying happy times with your family and friends, not lamenting the loss of a loved one, or your driver’s licence,” he says. “The speed limit is a limit not a target.”
Police will consistently be out in force with breath testing checkpoints at all hours. “Drivers have a choice. Never drive if you’ve been drinking. If you’re unsure catch an Uber.”
Drink driving: (Saturday, 13 December)
25-year-old Queenstown man, 734mcg, Camp Street, 4.24am. Appeared Queenstown District Court Monday, 15 December, pleaded guilty. Fined $750 and disqualified 6 months.
34-year-old Queenstown man, 503mcg, Gorge Road, 10.15pm. Court 27 February 2026.
69-year-old Southland man, 469mcg, Glenorchy-Queenstown Road, 9.28pm. Court 30 January 2026.
A 47-year-old Southland man was also charged with driving while disqualified and had his vehicle impounded for 28 days when stopped at 9pm on Friday, 12 December.
Light no fires
Firefighters are warning campers and people out enjoying the summer holidays not to light fires without a permit from the landowners. FENZ group manager Central Otago Bobby Lamont says local volunteer firefighters have responded to a few calls to Shotover Delta over the years where people have thought it’s a perfect spot for a fire. However, while lakeside beaches and riverbeds look safe, they still require a permit. Embers can be carried by the wind. People should always check www.checkitsalright.nz if wanting to have a bonfire or barbecue.
