A 16 year old boy was flown to Christchurch Hospital with serious head injuries after a road accident about 9.40pm on Saturday.
The boy is believed to have been the driver of a ute in which there were three passengers. They were travelling in convoy with a car carrying other youths.
Police believe the boy lost control of the vehicle on a bend on Atarau Rd, about 6km north of the Blackball turnoff.
Detective Chris Maitland said by the time emergency services arrived the two back seat passengers had left the scene.
The front seat passenger was taken to Greymouth Hospital for treatment.
The driver only held a learner's licence. His present condition is not known.
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