Woman dies after 4WD crashes near Hanmer

A North Canterbury woman was killed last night after the four-wheel-drive vehicle she was a passenger in crashed off State Highway 7 about 10km west of the Hanmer Springs turnoff.

Senior Sergeant Brent Register, of Rangiora police, said the name of the 52-year-old Kaiapoi woman would be released when next of kin had been informed.

She was a rear-seat passenger in an Isuzu Bighorn 4WD that failed to take a moderate right-hand bend, drifted into shingle on the road verge and skidded across two lanes before crashing into a steep earth bank near Shale Peak Stream about 5.45pm.

The driver and two other passengers received minor injuries.

Police investigations were continuing and a report would be prepared for a coroner's inquest.

- NZPA