In a deadly day for the South, a 10-year-old girl was swept to her death in a Fiordland creek and a person died following a two-vehicle collision near Omarama. Helicopters Otago managing director Graeme Gale said for rescue helicopter staff the South was "not the happiest place to be". Emergency services were called to the two-vehicle crash on State Highway 8 near Omarama at 10.19am, police said. The road was closed while the Serious Crash Unit completed a scene examination, police said. He thanked everyone involved in the "traumatic event", in particular members of the public who helped find and provide assistance to the girl.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 25, 2024 16:02 UTC