Six Israelis in road accident in NZ – one dead
Six Israelis in their 60s were traveling in a van touring New Zealand when it veered off a road near Christchurch.
The van came to rest at the foot of the hill. Two Westpac rescue helicopters are in attendance .
Photos: Westpac Rescue Christchurch
The van rolled 40m down a steep slope before coming to rest. One woman was killed in the accident and another seriously injured. Other suffered varying injuries and were evacuated to hospital by helicopter.
Paramedics at the scene told media that it was amazing that there had been only one fatality given the nature of the accident. It has also been reported that the woman was not wearing a safety belt.
New Zealand’s TVNZ has named the woman killed as Liora Keren was with five other Israeli tourists including her husband in a rental van that rolled more than 40 metres down a bank near the Hurunui River.
J-Wire has been told that the driver of the vehicle did not fall asleep at the wheel.
Rescuers at the van Photos: Westpac Rescue Christchurch
Liora Keren, 61, died immediately.
A rented van carrying her husband Lior Keren, and four other fellow passengers on State Highway 1, near Greta Valley – plummeted 40 metres from a clifftop.
Four of the passengers were rescued by Westpac helicopter and air-lifted from the cliff site – a kilometer south of the Hurinui bridge.
Another was taken to Christchurch Hospital by ambulance with moderate injuries.
The group from Israel, aged in their fifties and sixties, were travelling together on an extended trip of New Zealand.
Police are investigating the accident, however, it is clear that the driver was not asleep at the wheel and there are no medical conditions attributed to yesterday’s accident.
Chabad Rabbi Mendy, an American Rabbi who now lives in New Zealand flew to Christchurch today from Auckland to assist the Israeli tourists.
“Chabad is the first port of call,” he said, adding “it’s like a Jewish agency world-wide”.
Mendy is currently helping the Israeli tourists and confirms that one of the five has been discharged from Christchurch Hospital this morning. Two people remain in intensive care while two others are expected to make a full recovery.
The Israeli Embassy in Wellington is also assisting.
Very sad to learn of this above.
So enjoyed “Melb Veterans Discuss.” So smile-inducing and joyous! 🙂 Shalom, Lizzie via Bendigo..