Police warn cyclists and motorists after American cyclist seriously injured
Police are warning cyclists, walkers and motorists to be ‘extra vigilant’ along state highways and roads with summer approaching and the new Kawarau Gorge Trail on the way, after an American cyclist was seriously injured at Gibbston last Monday (3 November).
A 60-year-old American woman was flown to Dunedin Hospital by rescue helicopter with serious injuries after she was hit by a car while walking her bicycle across the road in the Gibbston Valley near Coal Pit Road at 12.25pm, Police say. The road remained closed while paramedics stabilised the patient and Police completed their scene examination, reopening to traffic around 2pm.
A St John Ambulance spokesperson says an ambulance, operations manager and Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter attended and the airlifted patient was in a serious condition.
Otago Lakes Road Policing Sergeant Bruce Martin says the accident was still under investigation, but people need to be very careful when crossing highways and roads.
It’s popular for bikers to cross the Gibbston highway from the current Kawarau River cycle trail section for a refreshment stop at either the Gibbston Tavern or Gibbston Valley Winery so cyclists, pedestrians and motorists all need to be careful, Martin says. “All road users should be mindful in these areas, especially with the new trail through the Nevis Bluff to Cromwell coming up. We will see even more cyclists,” he says. “It will open up a new element of risk as we’ve not had that flow of cyclists there before.” With the current trail running along the Kawarau River the tavern and winery across the state highway are always popular.
The Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter also flew a patient in a moderation condition to Dunedin Hospital after an accident on Gibbston’s Coal Pit Road on Saturday, 1 November just after 4.30pm with St John also attending. Further details weren’t available.
