Photo: Nick BrookOne person has been taken to hospital with moderate injuries after a single-vehicle crash near Purakaunui in the Catlins this morning. A police spokesman said they were alerted to the crash at about 11.45am on Purakaunui Bay Rd, near the site of a popular beach-side campsite. "It appears to be a case of tourists giving a bit too much way when they've encountered an oncoming vehicle," a police officer at the scene said. "It is a narrow gravel road with blind corners and it's an all too common situation we do get called to." Hato Hone St John also attended with two helicopters and a first response unit.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 16, 2026 01:30 UTC