Man dies after car rolls near Waikuku

A man has died and two children have been taken to hospital with moderate injuries following a motor vehicle crash near Waikuku, North Canterbury, this afternoon.

Christchurch Police say the deceased, a 41-year old man from the North Island, was the driver of a sport utility vehicle which lost control after clipping another vehicle during an overtaking manoeuvre.

The crash occurred on Gressons Road, west of State Highway One, at around 2.45pm today.

Initial enquiries indicate that the vehicle, a Chevrolet Blazer, was travelling west towards Rangiora and was overtaking a small truck when the vehicles made contact, causing the Chevrolet to roll several times before coming to rest in a paddock.

The two children, believed to aged under seven, were passengers in the deceased's car.

Police say there was no initial indication that speed was a factor, but it appears that the occupants of the vehicle may not have been wearing seat belts.

Investigations into the crash are continuing. Gressons Road has been closed this afternoon but road blocks are expected to be removed around 6.00pm.

The name of the deceased is not expected to be released until tomorrow, once next of kin have been advised.

ENDS