Crimeline: Overseas driver plummets off Crown Range Summit
Overseas driver plummets off Crown Range Summit
An overseas man in his 50s and his female passenger miraculously escaped uninjured when the black Audi they were in plummeted 100m to 120m down the steep rocky, tussock drop off the Crown Range Summit lookout car park at around 3.30pm on Tuesday, 31 March.
Constable Amanda Shute says the man had put the vehicle into ‘drive’ instead of ‘reverse’ causing the vehicle to go over the side of the car park and down the steep embankment.
The vehicle came to rest after going through a ditch and Shute says an infringement notice was issued.
Arrowtown Fire Brigade chief fire officer Murray Forward says the pair were “very lucky” to escape unharmed. “How it didn’t roll we’ll never know. It was very good luck.” The pair seemed surprisingly unshaken after their ordeal, he says.
Arrowtown and Frankton Fire Brigade volunteers were called to assist, both on Tuesday and again at around lunchtime yesterday (Wednesday, 1 April), after another member of the public saw the Audi still down the steep drop and called 111. The Frankton fire crew was turned back after Forward says it became apparent it was the same Audi. He and his crew went to the site again just to verify that.
Driver allegedly clocked at 170km/hr on Malaghans Road
Police are warning they will be out in force this Easter holiday weekend with a driver allegedly clocked at 170km/hr on Malaghans Road, the back road from Queenstown to Arrowtown, at 3pm on Monday, 30 March.
Constable Amanda Shute says Police spotted the vehicle travelling “at excessive speed” while patrolling Malaghans Road. “The driver was stopped and spoken to,” she says.
A 41-year-old Queenstown man was arrested and charged with driving at a dangerous speed. His vehicle was impounded and his licence suspended for 28 days.
Police are urging drivers to watch their speed this holiday weekend, put phones away, ensure they’re driving free of fatigue, alcohol, and drugs, and everyone is properly restrained.
Road deaths and serious injuries are preventable, and road safety is something we all must take responsibility for, Shute says.
Body found – Police still appealing for footage
Despite yesterday’s sad discovery of a body in Lake Dunstan, thought to be missing 21-year-old Frenchman Antoine Richard, Police are still appealing for any footage from the time of his disappearance, not long before midnight on Saturday, 21 March.
It’s hoped this may help trace Richard’s movements, a Police spokesperson says.
The body was found by a member of the public near Cornish Point about 2.35pm, and while the formal identification process was yet to be completed, Police believe it is Richard. He went missing from Cromwell after leaving the Victoria Arms Hotel around 11.45pm.
His devastated family put out an appeal with Police earlier yesterday (Wednesday, 1 April) for anyone with information or security camera footage to hand it to Police.
Richard, who worked at Carrick Winery, had been out after playing a rugby match with the Cromwell Rugby team, his family said. Venue cameras show him leaving just before midnight, wearing a black T-shirt, light denim shorts and Crocs.
Anyone with CCTV footage from 11.45pm on 21 March is still being asked to supply this to Police.
Detective Phill Hamlin says the death has been referred to the Coroner and the extensive community support and search efforts had been extremely appreciated by Police and Richard’s family.
“Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this difficult time,” Hamlin says.
A massive search has been underway since Richard was reported missing with Wakatipu LandSAR volunteers and specialist Wakatipu Alpine Cliff Rescue Team aerial observers joining the many searchers from around Otago and Southland. Local residents, workmates and rugby teammates helped Police, LandSAR and Coastguard, and the Police National Dive Squad was also brought in to assist.
Anyone with relevant footage is being asked to register their camera system with Community Cam or contact Police via 105, either over the phone or online at police.govt.nz/use-105 and selecting “Update Report”.
Alleged vicious assault downtown – Three charged
Three Southland men, aged 23, 26 and 19, have been charged after an alleged serious assault on two other males in Ballarat Street at 1.20am on Saturday, 28 March, Constable Shute says. The 23-year-old Southland man has been charged with assault after allegedly punching one of the victims in the face multiple times, she says. “Nearby, two others from the group have allegedly punched the second victim in the body and head multiple times before he ended up on the ground. When the victim has attempted to get up on his knees he has allegedly been punched and kicked in the face,” Shute says. The victim then attempted to get away but was followed by the alleged offenders, while one of them allegedly held the victim by the head and the other two allegedly continually punched him in the face and body, she says. The victim was transported to Lakes District Hospital for treatment. A 26-year-old and a 19-year-old Southland man have been charged with assault with intent to injure. All three men will reappear in the Queenstown District Court this month.
Drink driving
A 30-year-old Queenstown man allegedly blew 720mcg after a vehicle was allegedly observed pulling out of Church Street with no lights on just after 1.20am on Friday. The man’s licence was immediately suspended for 28 days.
Heli rescue after fall
A person with moderate injuries was flown to Lakes District Hospital by Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter after being injured in what appears to be a fall in mountainous terrain above Drift Bay, Wye Creek, just after 3pm on Sunday, 29 March. Police say they received a report of a person
requiring assistance above the Queenstown to Kingston highway. A St John Ambulance spokesperson says a helicopter and an ambulance attended and the patient was assessed at the scene then flown to hospital.
