A pair of "grossly intoxicated" teenaged girls allegedly crashed their car into a power pole, suffered head injuries and then fled the scene after attempting to hide the vehicle, in Frankton, early yesterday.
The collision was one of 10 incidents of drink-driving processed in Queenstown in the past two days by Queenstown police, the Alexandra-based Rural Drink Drive Group, Central Otago Highway Patrol and the Invercargill-based Traffic Alcohol Group. Acting Sergeant Craig Gibson, of Queenstown, yesterday described the count as "absolutely appalling".
Sgt Gibson said the two girls, from Frankton and Queenstown, crashed the 1989 Ford Laser into the pole, on the corner of Humphrey and Douglas Sts, at 3.30am.
They were not wearing seat belts and both their heads struck the windscreen, breaking it.
The girls attempted to hide the car in a nearby street, then went to the Lakes District Hospital, on Douglas St, where they were treated for head injuries.
Sgt Gibson said police were alerted by a member of the public and the girls were quickly located.
He said he would not speculate on the speed at which the car was travelling, but "both [girls] have been charged with alcohol- and driving-related matters."
"The amount of effort that goes into [anti-drink-driving] education, yet people still think it's worth the risk, particularly with the recent road toll," Sgt Gibson said.
The girls would appear in the Queenstown District Court in the new year, he said.
Sergeant Bruce Martin, of the Rural Drink Drive Group, said yesterday a breath-alcohol reading in the mid-700mcg range was the highest recorded out of the instances.
Among those processed were English and French nationals working in the resort.
One Irishman working in the resort was processed for drink-driving, then his Irish companion in the same vehicle was processed as well, after he attempted to drive away, Sgt Martin said.
"It's extremely disappointing. If people are out having a drink, plan how you are going to get home, as in, get money for a taxi or have a sober driver," Sgt Martin said.
"Don't take your car, so you're not tempted to drive. It's not a lot of extra expense, especially if you're sharing a taxi, and it certainly beats losing your licence and getting fined."
