KUALA LUMPUR – Two Malaysian students have died while another three have been hospitalised following a road accident at Lake Tekapo, New Zealand, earlier today.
In a statement confirming the incident, Wisma Putra said that the three Malaysian students were airlifted to Christchurch Hospital in New Zealand’s South Island for “urgent medical treatment”.
The Foreign Ministry also assured that the Malaysia High Commission in Wellington, with the assistance of the Malaysian community in Christchurch, is providing consular assistance to the victims and next of kin to ensure their welfare is taken care of.
“The ministry and High Commission of Malaysia stand ready to assist should the next-of-kin decide to repatriate the remains to Malaysia.”
Separately, New Zealand police were reported as saying that three people died in the multi-vehicle crash, while three others sustained serious injuries and another two escaped light injuries.
The crash, district operations and support manager Craig McKay said, happened at about 1.30pm local time (8.30am Malaysian time) and involved two vehicles as well as a motorcycle.
“A large number of emergency service staff, including three rescue helicopters responded. Despite the best efforts of those who arrived first at the scene, three people couldn’t be saved.
“One of the deceased was a motorcyclist, while the two others who lost their lives were travelling together in one of the cars.
“We are in the early stages of investigating to determine what caused this tragic event. The serious crash unit is at the scene, and their work will continue into the evening,” McKay said in the statement. – March 30, 2024