A 27-YEAR-OLD, male Cambodian student, found dead in a car down a Kai Iwi bank early yesterday, is believed to have died almost instantly.
The vehicle was discovered just after 6am by a Kai Iwi resident, who noticed a hole in the fence, bordering SH3, about one and a-half km north
of the Kai Iwi Tavern.
Knowing the fence had been intact the evening before, he stopped and although no vehicle could be seen directly below, he found it further along, about 30 metres down the bank.
Constable Karl Williams said the student had been living in New Zealand for about eight months and left New Plymouth on Saturday in a Honda Accord.
"He was the sole occupant of the car. "We believe he was asleep when the car went off the road, while coming down the hill, sometime between 9pm and 11pm. "
"The car hit a tree and he probably was killed instantly."
The student's name has yet to be released.
Mr Williams said distant relatives in New Zealand had been notified and they were contacting the next of kin.
Crews from two Wanganui Fire Service appliances helped retrieve the vehicle which was then towed into town where the body was recovered.
The accident was the first of several police were called to yesterday.
Just before 7am a woman driver received minor injuries in a two- vehicle collision on the Heads Rd-Guyton St intersection, which police are seeking information on.
Sergeant Andrew McDonald said the woman was driving a blue coloured Toyota Yaris along Heads Rd towards Wanganui Hospital, which was in a collision with a 1980s two-door white hatch back that drove off.
"The hatchback would have suffered damage to the front left headlight and left passenger side. I would like to hear from anyone who has any information which can help identify this car. They can contact me at the Wanganui Police Station on 3490600," Sergeant McDonald said.
At 3.30pm police attended a non injury collision on the London St-Halswell St intersection. One of the cars received moderate damage.
