Crimeline: Driver allegedly assaulted in car on Gorge Road
Driver allegedly assaulted in car on Gorge Road
Police are working to identify a group of men after a driver was allegedly assaulted when forced to stop his car on Gorge Road at 3.50am on Sunday, 21 June. Constable Amanda Shute says three men had been stopped in the middle of the road causing the vehicle to slow down and stop. “The driver has beeped the horn, which the group has taken offence to,” she says. The group of men have then allegedly kicked the vehicle and punched the left-wing mirror, Shute says. The driver has then continued on and pulled over, the group of men following the vehicle and approaching it, she says. When the driver wound down the window to speak to the group, one of the males has allegedly walked up to the driver’s door and punched the driver in the face three times, Shute says. Police enquiries are continuing to identify the group of men and Police would welcome any information from the public that could help them in this.
Punch up outside Night ‘n Day
A 30-year-old Queenstown man has been charged with fighting in a public place and failing/refusing to provide ID details to Police after a fight broke out in front of Night ‘n Day in Camp Street at 3.20am on Saturday, 20 June. Shute says Police arrived to find two men allegedly physically fighting each other and pulling each other to the ground. “Both males required being pulled apart by Police,” she says. They were arrested and returned to the Queenstown Police Station where Shute says one of the men allegedly refused to provide his details to Police. He will appear in the Queenstown District Court on 27 July.
Local rescuers honoured at national awards
The Wakatipu Alpine Cliff Rescue Team and Heliworks Queenstown were among those awarded special honours at the NZ Search and Rescue Awards on Tuesday night, 23 June, for their part in two daring and technical rescues in difficult terrain in Fiordland last year.
They were each awarded two Certificates of Achievement in the Operational Activity category for both rescues – one on Sabre Peak, south-east of Milford Sound in the Darran Mountains, and the other high on U-Pass in the Earl Mountains, north of Te Anau.
Southern Lakes Helicopters, Southland Area Police Search and Rescue, Helicopters Otago and two climbers who raised the alarm were also honoured for the Darran Mountains search and recovery.
Wakatipu Alpine Cliff Rescue and the three helicopter companies were also awarded for the Earl Mountains search and rescue.
French team member George Millet flew to Wellington to receive the two awards for the Alpine Cliff Rescue Team.
Presenting three national Gold Awards and seven Certificates of Achievement at Parliament, Associate Transport Minister James Meager said the SAR awards acknowledge courageous work during 2025, or significant contributions to search and rescue over many years. They highlight the “exceptional skill, teamwork and dedication of Kiwi search and rescuers”. The annual awards “shine a light on the courage, skill and commitment shown by those who keep us safe”.
The prestigious Gold Award for Operational Activity went to the team involved in the search for Argentine tourist Hector Gaston Artigau, who went missing in Mt Aspiring National Park last year. Despite significant efforts he has never been found.
“This was an intensive and dangerous operation involving five organisations and 40 Wānaka search and rescue volunteers who, over 20 days, contributed 823 hours of their own time,” Meager said at the ceremony.” It was a huge collaborative effort with two search and rescue dogs and their handlers also brought in to help.
Drink driving
A 33-year-old Queenstown man allegedly blew 941mcg, almost four times the legal limit, after Police stopped a vehicle due to speed on Frankton Road at 2.25am last Thursday, 18 June.
Shute says the driver’s licence was suspended for 28 days and he will appear in court tomorrow, 26 June.
Suspended licence
A 20-year-old Wānaka woman was charged with allegedly driving while her licence was suspended or revoked, and suspended from driving due to demerit points, after Police stopped a vehicle on Frankton Road just after 7pm on Friday, 19 June.
Shute says the vehicle was impounded for 28 days and the woman will appear in court on 24 July.
Black ice accident on Glenorchy Road
Drivers are being warned to take extra care on local roads with black ice starting to cause havoc around the region.
Police and fire crews were called to a single vehicle collision on the Glenorchy Road just after 9.15am on Monday, 22 June. Constable Amanda Shute says the driver hit black ice and lost control of the vehicle, causing it to slide parallel to a hill along the road. Fortunately, there were no injuries.
Fire and Emergency assistant commander Nic McQuillan says the Glenorchy and Queenstown Volunteer Fire Brigades turned out to the accident, but Queenstown was stood down soon after. He says drivers have been “lulled into a false sense of security” due to the rain and milder winter temperatures lately. However, people need to adjust to winter conditions and be “super careful”, he says.
