Two dead after vehicle hits pedestrians in Gisborne

Two people have died in a crash involving a vehicle and two pedestrians in Gisborne on New Year’s Eve.

The crash happened on Back Ormond Road, near Snowsill Road, at around 9:15pm.

Emergency services attended, however, one of the pedestrians died at the scene and another died in hospital after being transported in a critical condition, police said.

The crash scene was near the site of the Rhythm and Vines festival, but it was unclear as to whether the people who died were festival patrons.

Investigations were underway to determine the circumstances of the incident, police said in a statement.

Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz said it was too early to confirm any link to the festival.

“At this stage we’re not making any connections, we are waiting for the police to follow up and let us all know what happened there. We also don’t want to speculate about anything because there are people and their families involved, and they need to know first what happened to their loved ones.”

Rhythm and Vines organisers said they were cooperating with the authorities after the deaths near the festival site.

A spokesperson said they were working to understand the full situation, and would not be making any further comment.

One killed in crash north of Christchurch

Earlier in the night one person died and three others were injured after a car rolled in Sefton in North Canterbury.

The Waka Kotahi provisional holiday road toll now stands at 14 with three days still to go.

Last year 16 people died during the Christmas-New Year period.