Few drunken incidents reported
Few drunken incidents reported
Police are generally pleased about the low number of alcohol-related incidents in Otago over the Christmas holiday period.
Accidents
Hopes fade for 17 missing fishermen
Hopes fade for 17 missing fishermen
Hope was fading last night for 17 missing fishermen after their South Korean trawler In Sung sank in the Southern Ocean, claiming at least five lives.
Police warn drivers of wet threat
Police warn drivers of wet threat
A large number of drivers lost control in the wet weather yesterday, prompting a fresh call from police for people to drive to the conditions.
Cyclist in serious condition after accident
Cyclist in serious condition after accident
A 14-year-old cyclist is in a serious but stable condition in Wellington Hospital after he was hit by a vehicle in Lower Hutt yesterday while not wearing a helmet.
Two in serious condition after Bay of Plenty crash
Two in serious condition after Bay of Plenty crash
Two people are in a serious condition following a head-on collision in the Bay of Plenty.
Driver accepts 'total blame' for passenger's death
Driver accepts 'total blame' for passenger's death
Aswiss woman whose careless driving killed a 23-year-old Korean woman passenger last month lost her own mother in a traffic accident three years ago, the Queenstown District Court heard yesterday.
Lineman's service noted
Lineman's service noted
TheVincent Community Board observed a minute's silence yesterday as a mark of respect for the Alexandra lineman who died last week.
Coroner's decision welcomed
Coroner's decision welcomed
The family of a trail biker who received fatal injuries during a collision with another motorcyclist in the Pines reserve near Alexandra has welcomed the Otago-Southland coroner's view that access to the area should remain open.
Two killed, three injured in crashes
Two killed, three injured in crashes
Two people were killed and three injured in two unrelated vehicle crashes within about an hour of each other in the South yesterday.
Alcohol to blame in 50% of fatal crashes
Alcohol to blame in 50% of fatal crashes
Alcohol was involved in 50% of fatal crashes on Central Otago roads in the past decade, community road safety adviser Jo Robinson says.
Friends mourn kayakers who perished
Friends mourn kayakers who perished
A colleague of French kayaker Raphael Soubrier (21) says workers at Queenstown's Fresh Choice supermarket were saddened to hear of his death just hours before a staff Christmas party on Tuesday night.
Widow's wait continues
Widow's wait continues
Pauline Scotland came to Queenstown yesterday hoping for closure, 21 months after the death of husband Andrew in a hang-gliding crash.
Rescue response slow, mayday receiver says
Rescue response slow, mayday receiver says
The man who took the mayday cellphone call from two French kayakers found dead on Lake Wakatipu on Monday night says the rescue response was too slow and the deaths should spark debate over bringing the Coastguard to Queenstown Bay.
Strongman miner queries delay
Strongman miner queries delay
Rescuers should have gone into the Pike River mine more or less straight away, says a miner who survived New Zealand's last coal-mining explosion disaster.
Tears and fears as tempers fray
Tears and fears as tempers fray
Tempers began to fray as the families of the 29 men missing in the Pike River mine were again told yesterday that no rescue would take place before the day was out - and police conceded for the first time that lives might have been lost following Friday's explosion.
Five hurt as jet-boat hits rock face on river
Five hurt as jet-boat hits rock face on river
Shotover Jet, one of Queenstown's most popular tourist attractions, may not be operating today after one of the company's jet-boats crashed yesterday, injuring five of its 14 passengers.
Memories of Fernhill cave-in relived
Memories of Fernhill cave-in relived
For weeks afterwards, Ernie Tweedie jumped and groaned as he dreamed of the miners he could not save from a cave-in at the Fernhill Coal Company's mine near Brighton.
Normal routine encouraged
Normal routine encouraged
Family and friends affected by the Pike River mine explosion should try to keep to a normal routine despite riding an "emotional roller coaster", a counsellor involved with the Beaconsfield Mine disaster says.
Injured glider pilot airlifted to hospital
Injured glider pilot airlifted to hospital
American pilot Alex Marshall was airlifted to Queenstown Lakes Hospital yesterday with a broken ankle after the glider he was flying landed heavily, 35km west of Omarama.
Crash death 'completely avoidable'
Crash death 'completely avoidable'
The death of a young Irishman in a crash at Poolburn on Saturday morning was "a completely avoidable loss of life", Sergeant Ian Kerrisk said yesterday.