Race caller killed in Christchurch crash

Well-known South Island race caller, Darren Tyquin, has died in a crash on Christchurch's northern motorway early today.

Tyquin, 41, crashed off State Highway 1, just north of Belfast, about 12.50am, after failing to take a bend, Canterbury policing development manager Inspector John Price said.

He died at the scene. A passenger in the car was taken to Christchurch Hospital where he was treated for moderate injuries.

Tyquin replaced veteran South Island race caller Reon Murtha in 2006.

Tyquin's race calling career stretched back to 1982 when he began work with Australia's leading race broadcaster, Victorian radio station, 3UZ.

He also had a stint in Hobart, Tasmania, as the chief racecaller for TVT6.

He returned to Victoria in 1987 and until 1995 continued greyhound race calling duties.

Tyquin moved to New Zealand in 1999 and was appointed racecaller for race meetings at Tauranga, Rotorua, Matamata, Te Aroha and Taupo.

He was involved with the racing television channel Trackside and was an on-air host on Radio Trackside.

Police said preliminary investigations indicated speed was a factor in the crash.

"It is again a real tragedy that speed has killed yet another person on our roads."

- NZPA