By rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission
An Australian traveller says poor conditions made for a scary drive over the road where two buses rolled on State Highway 8 in the Mackenzie District this morning.
Fifteen people have been taken to hospital by St John after the single-vehicle crashes occurred 100 metres apart on the Tekapo-Twizel Highway about 8.40am on Thursday, police said.
That includes seven from the scene of the crash, including two people in a serious condition, two in a moderate condition and three with minor injuries.
Eight were transported from Twizel Medical Centre, six in a moderate condition and two on a minor condition.
The crash involved one of the choirs that competed at the World Choir Games.
Organisers said they were devastated the choir had gone through such a traumatic event while touring the country and they were offering members support.
They said their thoughts were with the choir, as well as their families at home, and have expressed gratitude to the people looking after them.
Hato Hone St John earlier said it was notified of the incidents at 8.38am and nine vehicles and three helicopters had been dispatched.
The two seriously injured had been taken to Dunedin and Timaru hospitals via helicopter.
Grace, who was travelling along the road when she came upon the scene, said she gave first aid to the shaken passengers.
“The children were quite lacerated by the glass I believe,” Grace said.
She spent 25 minutes tending to wounds and trying to keep people warm on a bitterly cold morning before the firefighter crews arrived.
A bus crash involved tourists on State Highway 8 in the Mackenzie District on 18 July, 2024. Photo: Supplied / Grace Duggin
A man had helped to get all the passengers out of the first bus before she arrived.
“But as the temperature was about negative one (degrees), they were just freezing, so everyone was gathering all the blankets and scarves and jumpers that they could to give to these people,” Grace said.
A bus crash involved tourists on State Highway 8 in the Mackenzie District on 18 July, 2024. Photo: Supplied / Joseph Alexander
The driver appeared to be in shock with a broken arm or wrist, and the children were upset and crying, she said.
She was driving to Christchurch with friends when they pulled over after seeing cars with their hazard lights on.
“We were super scared on the road ourselves cos of the black ice and really poor conditions, so I think something really needs to be done about that.”
She felt shocked to not to find more road safety signs and information along the highway.
“Considering it’s a 100 [kilometre an hour] zone, we were going about 30 so I think that it’s just not at all well equipped, especially for vulnerable tourists who aren’t familiar with the conditions.”
She wanted to see action so travellers were better informed about the road conditions and the highway was better maintained and able to cope with the conditions.
State Highway 8 road sign between Omarama and Twizel. Photo: RNZ / Niva Chittock
Police said it was understood those on board were international tourists, and the relevant Consulate had been advised.
In a statement, a spokesperson at the China Consulate-General in Christchurch said they were advised by police that two buses carrying Chinese tourists had rolled.
Staff from the consulate had visited the seriously injured pair and the embassy had asked travel agencies to accommodate the remainder of Chinese tourists involved, the spokesperson said.
“We would like to remind the Chinese citizens who recently come to the South Island of New Zealand that the weather in the South Island is changeable in winter, with rain and fog, slippery roads and sometimes “black ice”.
“Be sure to raise your safety awareness, pay attention to traffic safety, slow down when driving, and keep your seat belt fastened all the time.”
Some of those injured were taken to Twizel Medical Centre. Photo: RNZ / Niva Chittock
Passengers on board the buses who have not required medical attention have been taken to Twizel.
A Civil Defence Emergency Management centre has been set up for them.
Twizel Events Centre with a sign warning people to be careful of slipping due to ice on the pavement. Photo: RNZ / Niva Chittock
Earlier, about 40 firefighters from four crews around Twizel, Lake Tekapo, Omarama and Otematata were at the scene.
Fire and Emergency (FENZ) said no one was believed to be trapped after the crashes.
The road where the crash happened, between Tekapo and the intersection with State Highway 80, reopened about 3.40pm.
The New Zealand Transport Agency / Waka Kotahi (NZTA) had advised motorists to expect delays of up two hours when the road was closed.
A traffic camera in Twizel shows the area experiencing heavy fog on Thursday morning. Photo: NZTA
The Serious Crash Unit is investigating.
“Weather conditions were foggy at the time, however the exact cause of the crashes is still being determined,” police said.
A FENZ shift manager said crews were faced with poor weather, fog, ice and multiple patients.
“Crews worked extremely hard in trying conditions to get the best outcome for the public,” he said.
Fire and Emergency crews left the scene about midday, but the road remained closed.
NZTA said as this was a serious crash on a state highway, they would be conducting an investigation of the road and roadside conditions, alongside police investigations.
“The condition of both buses will also be examined as part of the investigation.
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this morning’s crash.”
Buses at Twizel Events Centre, where tourists involved in bus crashes on State Highway 8 were sent for accommodation, on 18 July, 2024. Photo: RNZ / Niva Chittock
Intersection near bus crashes popular with tourists – board member
Twizel Community Board member Tracey Gunn said conditions in the area could be treacherous, making locals wary.
She said she was not surprised to hear about the two bus crashes near the Hayman Road intersection, which was popular with tourists as it had a car park with toilets and breathtaking views.
“Close to the lake and with the fog, the roads are wet. Sub-zero temperatures means they freeze, black ice, and you can’t see black ice. It just looks like a wet road,” Gunn said.
“It’s just a perfect storm of conditions for accidents unfortunately.”
A map showing where the road is closed. Photo: NZTA
On Thursday morning, NZTA put out a black ice and winter driving conditions warning for that stretch of road.
Gunn said it was one of the two intersections in the area which had the most crashes, because it was a sweeping bend which was a bit tricky to go through even in good conditions.
“If the visibility is very low and so if you’re driving down the main road, you wouldn’t even know that there was potentially an intersection there.”
Under winter conditions, motorists needed to go slower, brake on a straight, not on a corner and factor in more travel time, she said.
