A tragic accident occurred on a New Zealand highway involving a head-on collision between a van carrying South Korean skiers and a four-wheel-drive vehicle, resulting in the death of three skiers and serious injuries to two others. The vehicles were traveling in opposite directions before colliding at an intersection near Geraldine, a town in rural South Island, as confirmed by district police inspector Vicki Walker.
The collision, which took place on Wednesday, claimed the lives of three occupants of the van and left another passenger critically injured. The driver of the four-wheel-drive vehicle was also seriously injured, and both survivors were airlifted to Christchurch Hospital for treatment, according to Walker. The identities of the crash victims have not been officially disclosed by authorities from New Zealand or South Korea.
Shim Hye-min, an official from South Korea’s Sport and Olympic Committee, stated that the deceased individuals were South Korean ski athletes who were in New Zealand for training purposes. However, no further details were immediately available from the committee or South Korea’s Ski and Snowboard Association regarding the incident. The South Korean Foreign Ministry confirmed that consular assistance was being provided but refrained from sharing more information at the time.
