Irishman killed in crash named

Police have named an Irishman killed in a car crash in Central Otago's Ida Valley early this morning.

He was Leslie Armitage, 23, of Tipperary, who was working as a farmhand in the Ida Valley, Senior Sergeant Jill Woods, of Alexandra police, said.

A 21-year-old man, also from Ireland and who worked with Mr Armitage, received minor injuries in the crash.

Mr Armitage was trapped under the Landrover Discovery 4WD he was driving on Stillburn Road, Poolburn, when it failed to take a bend, leaving the rural, gravel road and rolling through a fence into a paddock.

He died at the scene.

"Alcohol was involved, and from our initial inquiries it appears neither man was wearing a seat belt," Ms Woods said.

- NZPA