Driver killed in collision with stock truck named

File photo / NZ Herald

A driver killed in a collision with a stock truck last week was a Chinese tourist in a rental vehicle, police have revealed today.

The death come amid a spate of serious and fatal crashes involving foreign drivers, prompting calls for more to be done to reduce the number of crashes involving tourists.

Chinese man Ying-Hua Zhou, 29, died after the small white rental car he was driving crossed the centre line and collided with an oncoming stock truck on State Highway 1, about 10km south of Greta Valley, on Wednesday last week.

Witnesses said Mr Zhou's rental car collided head-on with the truck about 6.30pm.

The driver of the stock truck and trailer unit, which was carrying a full load of lambs, was uninjured but shaken. The lambs on board were reportedly uninjured and transferred to another vehicle.

Mr Zhou had been on holiday in New Zealand. His death has been referred to the Coroner.

A spokesperson for Mr Zhou's family said: "We are extremely upset and appreciate the huge support from the local Chinese community, the Chinese consulate and Canterbury police during this extremely difficult time."

Police investigations into the crash were continuing.

Mr Zhou's death was one of three road fatalities on Wednesday last week, and one of two involving rental vehicles.