30 Apr 2014

Men 'lucky' to escape ravine plunge

2:09 pm on 30 April 2014

Two British men crashed their car down a steep ravine near Queenstown after the driver apparently lost control of the vehicle at a bend.

The car fell 30 metres into Wye Creek.

The car fell 30 metres into Wye Creek. Photo: NZ POLICE

Police say it appears the 24-year-old driver lost control and failed to take a bend in an area known as the Devil's Staircase on State Highway 6 south of Queenstown. The car plunged through 30 metres of bush into Wye Creek.

The 22-year-old passenger managed to scramble up to the road to raise the alarm.

The driver has leg and possibly internal injuries and both men, who live in Queenstown, are being treated in hospital.

Police say both were wearing safety belts and appear to have been extremely lucky.

The police Serious Crash unit is investigating.