Two dead after car and truck collide on rural Canterbury highway
Tuesday, 4 June 2019
Two people killed in a crash near Methven have taken the Canterbury road toll since Saturday to four.
The man and woman were the occupants of a car involved in a crash with a truck at the intersection of State Highway 77 (Waimarama Rd) and SH72 about 11.55am on Tuesday.
The driver of the truck sustained serious injuries and was flown to hospital by rescue helicopter.
Just before 10pm on Sunday, one person died and another was critically injured after a crash between a car and van on West Coast Rd, West Melton.
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On Saturday, Christchurch motorcyclist Michael Barry Rowe was killed in a four-vehicle crash on South Canterbury's Waimate Highway.
According to Ministry of Transport statistics, 25 people have died on Canterbury roads so far this year, one fewer than the same time last year.
The police serious crash unit is investigating the Methven crash.
A police spokeswoman said early reports suggested a car and truck towing a trailer were involved in the crash.
The driver of the truck was initially trapped and had to be cut free from the wreckage.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman Andrew Norris said it took two crews from Methven and another from Alford Forest about two hours to free the truck driver, who had been 'seriously entrapped'.
Specialist heavy duty rescue equipment was sent from Timaru.
The truck and trailer, which was believed to be carrying cattle, had overturned into a hedge, and was blocking the road, Norris said.