Invercargill resident describes hearing speeding car moments before fatal crash; police say vehicle failed to stop

An Invercargill resident awakened by a speeding car braced for impact moments before a loud crash that left one dead, in what police say was a fleeing driver incident.

Police signalled for a vehicle to stop on Kelvin St, in Invercargill, shortly before 3am yesterday.

However, the driver failed to stop, police say, fleeing until it crashed at the intersection of Leet and Kelvin Streets. The vehicle was not pursued by police.

One person was found dead at the scene. Four people in a moderate condition were treated at the scene by Hato Hone St John.

Nearby resident Sally Tucker said she heard the incident unfold and “visibly cringed” at the sound of a car speeding down the road in the lead-up to the fatal crash.

“At 2.58am, I heard a car speeding, then brakes being applied. I braced for an impact. Sure enough, two massive bangs,” Tucker said.

Tucker said she raced to the window and spotted three young people walking down Kelvin St. She said she saw them heading towards the crash scene. It is unclear whether the group were involved with the incident in any way.

The intersection at Gala St and Kelvin St. Photo / Sally Tucker

Tucker quickly went outside in her dressing gown to see what had unfolded.

“I went down my driveway and police were already at the scene, sirens blaring.”

She described a scene of “chaos” as she wandered further out, witnessing more police pull into the street.

“It was just lights, sirens – another two police cars turned up within a couple of minutes,” she said.

“It looks like it’s taken out two traffic lights on the corner of Gala and Kelvin [streets], clipped a wall of an architecture building and taken out some foliage.”

Tucker said she was saddened to learn later that someone had lost their life in the collision.

The road was closed for much of the day as crews worked to fix the damage at the intersection.

Hato Hone St John responded with two ambulances and crews assessed four people, all in a moderate condition.

Southland Area Commander Inspector Mike Bowman said police are now seeking CCTV and witnesses to the crash.

“The matter will also be referred to the IPCA [Independent Police Conduct Authority], as is standard procedure in cases like this,” he said.

If anyone has witnessed the crash, or holds CCTV in the areas of Wellesley Ave, Avenal St or Kelvin St, they are advised to contact police.

Reports can be made online on 105 using the reference number 260322/6911.

Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

In a separate incident, one person died following a single-vehicle crash on the rural Winding Creek Rd, north of Gore, just hours before at about 12.40am.

Police confirmed one other person sustained moderate injuries and was seen by ambulance services.

Hato Hone St John sent a first response unit, an ambulance, a rapid response unit and a helicopter to the scene.

One person was airlifted to Dunedin Hospital in a serious condition.