Tourist admits causing head-on crash

Canadian university professor Keith Lehrer - in New Zealand to deliver a lecture series - has admitted causing a crash near Kaikoura when he switched to driving on the right.

The 65-year-old was also holidaying in New Zealand with his two sons when he pulled out of a cafe south of Kaikoura and struck a camper van almost head-on, on the wrong side of the road.

He and his sons were injured and Lehrer was only released from hospital yesterday.

He had a frame for support as he stood in the dock of Christchurch District Court today after admitting careless driving causing injury.

He declined the invitation from Judge Noel Walsh to take a seat during the hearing. He said he had enough support from the frame.

The vehicle he struck contained English tourists. Lehrer's vehicle was spun 180 degrees by the impact. One of his sons received head and face injuries and had to be cut out of the car.

He admitted he had simply been tired after a day of travelling and had a momentary lapse of attention, reverting to the right lane after pulling out of the Cave cafe.

Judge Walsh said it had been a momentary error of judgment late in the day. Lehrer was clearly remorseful, having had the accident after doing nothing to attract a conviction his whole life.

He fined the professor $700 and disqualified him from driving for six months.

The court was told Lehrer had been in New Zealand to deliver a series of lectures and had also been touring to have a holiday with his sons.

- NZPA