Crimeline: Speeds of up to 140km/hr
Speeds of up to 140km/hr - Drink driving
From speeds clocked at up to 140km/hr to festival-going drink drivers allegedly well over the legal limit, some driving only a short distance to get home, Police say they were out in force “with a razor-sharp focus” these past few weeks.
Otago Lakes Area Road Policing Manager Acting Senior Sergeant Dylan Hannah-Jones says there were “some lead-footed drivers” stopped over Anzac Weekend locally, some allegedly driving up to 140km/hr. In one crash on the Crown Range Road a vehicle left the road near Cardrona Village, coming to rest in a paddock, he says.
Thankfully, nobody was injured but Hannah-Jones says it was an important reminder to “drive to the speed limit and keep attentive”.
“We also encourage more leisurely drivers to pull over where it’s safe and let people pass. It’s courteous and safer for everyone,” he says.
Police were out in force breath testing, including in Arrowtown during the recent Autumn Festival. Unfortunately, some drivers allegedly blew over the limit, some of whom Hannah-Jones says were only driving a very short distance.
“Police will not tolerate this kind of decision making. There are always alternatives to driving – (that might include walking) and we will continue to breath test drivers in any location and at any time of the day.”
Check those chains
With several early snowfall events this autumn already, Police are warning motorists to check their tyres, dig out their chains and practise putting them on in the driveway at home.
Free chain fitting events will be held in Queenstown at the Event Centre on 3 June and in Wanaka on 29 May.
Wye Creek rescue
A person who’d gone down a cliff off the Wye Creek Walking Track early on Anzac Day (25 April) afternoon was rescued by the Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter and flown to Lakes District Hospital with minor injuries, emergency services say.
Police say a land rescue operation was launched, but the person was back on solid ground not long after and the Police rescue was stood down.
Fall at McKellar Hut
The rescue helicopter also flew a patient, who was part of a tramping party of four, to Lakes District Hospital in a moderate condition on Sunday, 26 April, after a fall at McKellar Hut. The group set off a personal locator beacon, and a St John Ambulance spokesperson says they were alerted just after 8am.
Motorhome and van collide - Road blocked
Three people suffered moderate injuries after a motorhome and van collided at the Ballantyne Road intersection with the Wanaka-Luggate Highway, 2kms west of Wanaka Airport, around 2pm yesterday, 29 April.
Three St John Ambulances and volunteer fire crews from Wanaka and Luggate responded. A St John spokesperson says ambulance crews treated three patients in a moderate condition, transporting one to Dunstan Hospital and two to Lakes District Hospital.
The road was blocked and traffic was delayed for a short time, allowing the crashed vehicles to be cleared with NZTA setting up a detour.
