Canterbury Police say the four teenage occupants of the car involved in a single vehicle crash on SH1 near Kaiapoi, just before 11pm on Friday 2 January 2015, were very lucky to escape serious injury.
Acting Inspector Phil Dean, said “We understand from witnesses that the blue Subaru Impreza, with four occupants, left Hanmer Springs at around 8.30pm last Friday travelling towards Christchurch along SH7 and, before it crashed, SH1. We received multiple complaints from members of the public of the car overtaking at speed and some of the occupants climbing over the bonnet and roof of the vehicle while it was travelling along the State Highway.”
Shortly before the crash at around 10.50pm, witnesses reported that the front-seat passenger was standing waist-high urinating out of the side window before they saw him sit back down and the driver lean her body out of the window. The car is then understood to have veered across the south-bound lanes and has become airborne when it collided with the centre barrier arm, landing in the middle of the north-bound lanes.
“All of the occupants were extremely lucky not to have seriously hurt themselves or anyone else when they crashed. Police are investigating claims that the front-seat passenger was steering the car while the driver was leaning out of the window” explained Acting Inspector Dean.
The 18 year old female driver and 17 year old male rear-seat passenger were taken to Christchurch Hospital by ambulance with moderate injuries to their head and face. The 19 year old female passenger was uninjured and the 17 year old front-seat passenger had minor injuries to his right shoulder.
Police investigations into the crash are continuing.
The driver and several of the occupants of the car received Infringement Notices in relation to their unsafe behaviour while the vehicle was moving. It is likely that charges will also be laid against the driver for her manner of driving.
“The roads in Canterbury are as safe as those using them and in this instance the driver and some of the occupants in this car put not only themselves but other road users at risk with their unacceptable behaviour. On behalf of Canterbury Police I would like to thank the witnesses to this incident who have provided valuable information to the investigation into the cause of the crash. It is unacceptable for a minority of road users to put others at risk with their unsafe behaviour and erratic driving. “says Acting Inspector Dean.
“We encourage road users who have any concerns with the standard of driving they are seeing to report it to Police. Dial *555 FREE from a mobile phone to report road incidents that are urgent but not life threatening or ‘report a bad driver’ online, www.Police.govt.nz , for non-urgent incidents of poor driving behaviour where you do not wish the offender to be prosecuted. Always call 111 in an emergency.”
There have been six fatal road crashes in Canterbury over the official Christmas Holiday Period which started at 4pm on 24 December 2014 and finished at 6am yesterday morning (5 January 2015).
“We want every journey on our roads to be a safe journey. Across New Zealand alcohol, speed and not wearing appropriate restraints are a common and recurring factor in most fatal crashes. If you drive, don’t drink – it’s that simple. Look out for your friends, family and community and intervene to stop someone getting behind the wheel after they’ve been drinking. If you’re travelling make sure everyone is wearing their safety belts and babies/children are in appropriate car seats. Drive to the conditions and slow down so you have enough time to make decisions at intersections. Speed limits are not a target, they are a maximum so please drive social and don’t drink or take drugs if you are getting behind the wheel. Let’s make 2015 a safe year to be on the road” said Acting Inspector Dean.
ENDS
Issued by: Lisa-Marie Brooks, District Communications Manager, Canterbury Police District. Mobile: 021 942 404