20 Aug 2009

Eight injured in Lindis Pass crash

11:01 pm on 20 August 2009

Eight people have been injured in a serious crash in the Lindis Pass in Otago.

Police said State Highway 8 would be closed to traffic near Tinburn Road overnight on Thursday, following a collision between a camper van and a car.

Police and fire crews were called to the accident scene just before 8pm. St John Ambulance said five of its crews from surrounding areas also attended.

Police said eight people were being transported to hospitals in Clyde, Dunedin and Christchurch on Thursday night, and one person has life-threatening injuries.

Helicopters transporting medical staff left from Dunedin and Christchurch, but the Dunedin crew was forced to turn back due to bad weather.

Police said they are not yet sure what caused the crash but are using interpreters to interview the occupants of the camper van, who are Spanish.