One person has died from a serious New Year’s Eve crash, near Bunnythorpe just north of Palmerston North, police said this morning.
The death brought the preliminary summer holiday road toll to 10.
Emergency services were called to the two-vehicle crash on Ashhurst Rd at around 2.15pm. Four other people had injuries — ranging from critical to serious — and were taken to hospital by helicopter or ambulance.
Hato Hone St John yesterday said it responded to the crash with five ambulances, one rapid response unit, one operations manager and two helicopters.
“Two patients, both in critical conditions, were airlifted to Wellington Hospital,” a spokesperson said.
“Three further patients, all in serious conditions, transported to Palmerston North Hospital by ambulance.”
Police said the Serious Crash Unit had examined the Bunnythorpe scene and enquiries into the circumstances of the crash were ongoing.
Police would like to hear from anyone who saw a dark-coloured Ford Ranger or a Toyota Yaris in the Bunnythorpe area from about 2pm yesterday. Information could be passed by phoning the 105 service, quoting reference number 241231/0311.
The official Christmas/New Year holiday period is from 4pm on Tuesday, December 24 to 6am on Friday, January 3, 2025.
The Ministry of Transport provided updates on holiday road toll data throughout the break, and historical crash data for the holiday period could be found online.
