One of five teenagers killed in a horrific crash outside Timaru last night was riding in the boot of the car when it smashed into a power pole with such force the car broke in half, hurling debris down the road.
The corner of Meadows road and Seadown road, outside Washdyke, where five people died in a crash. Photo: Google Maps
The crash happened just before 7.30pm at the intersection of Seadown Road and Meadows Road in Washdyke, on the northern edge of Timaru.
Five people - understood to be young males aged 15 and 16 years old - died in the crash.
A sixth person, the 19-year-old driver of the Nissan Bluebird sedan, was taken to Timaru Hospital in a serious condition.
Aoraki Area Commander Inspector Dave Gaskin said all were Timaru locals.
"My thoughts and prayers go to the families of those young men. They woke up today to a nightmare that won't go away."
He said there were a number of contributing factors.
"Speed... it appears alcohol may have been involved and there were six people in the vehicle and only five lots of seatbelts."
He said it was unlikely the condition of the road was a factor.
Gaskin confirmed police had attended an incident of antisocial road user activity earlier in the evening after receiving a call from a member of the public, but said it was not the same vehicle.
"Meadows Road and Seadown Road is a wide intersection with long straights and it is a favourite for people who wish to carry out anti-social road user activity.
"Timaru's a very small community and I'm sure this is going to touch a lot of people... I know the family of one of the boys.
"Cars are not toys. When they are not used properly they are extremely dangerous. Please don't speed, please don't drink and drive and for goodness sake put your seatbelt on."
Anyone who saw the car prior to the accident - a Nissan Bluebird sedan registration number UI1799 - should get in touch with police.
Police had not yet spoken to the driver but Gaskin said he would be interviewed.
Superintendent Steve Greally said the crash was tragic, but frustrating because there were insufficient seats and seatbelts for all the occupants of the car and speed was likely a factor.
"To have five lives lost in an instant is a terrible tragedy, and our thoughts are with their families.
"Particularly in a small community, the impact of a crash like this stretches far, and everyone in the area will be hurting.
"Seatbelts save lives, and it's evident that not everyone in this car was belted in."
Typical teens
Two of the boys who died in the crash are being described as typical teenagers, who were full of energy.
The education manager at the Aoraki Alternative Education Centre, Rob Emerson, said the two boys who attended his school will be sorely missed.
He said a meeting is being held tonight to see how students can be helped through the tragedy.
Timaru mayor Nigel Bowen said it was an absolute tragedy to wake up to.
"It's really devastating, for the families but also the whole community. We're making assumptions that these are Timaru people, but even if they're not it's hugely sad that this has happened."
He said the area where the crash occurred was not a hotspot.
"It's a light industrial, bordering residential area out that way but the roads are up to spec for more heavy traffic etc so the roads are in the best condition.
"It's really just one out of the box."
He said there would be many agencies working to support the families.
"I certainly can't remember in recent times when we've had such a [tragedy] from a car accident so it's just devastating to wake up to this.
"If it rolls through to kids potentially still being at school, then schools will kick in... there will be a lot of support."
Formal identification of the victims remains ongoing.
A full investigation will be carried out.