Singaporean charged with dangerous driving in NZ
Posted: 15 November 2012 2337 hrs
SINGAPORE: A Singaporean man has been charged in a court in Dunedin, New Zealand with dangerous driving causing death.
The 26-year-old engineer has been remanded in custody.
A media report in New Zealand said he is expected to appear in court tomorrow while the Dunedin police said his next appearance would be on 22 November.
The accused has surrendered his passport and has to report to the Dunedin police station 3 days each week.
He's also not allowed to leave the country.
According to the media report, the accident took place on 13 November.
The man, who was driving a Toyota RAV SUV, had tried to overtake a truck on State Highway 1 near Kuriwao, Clinton.
As he tried to complete the overtaking, his vehicle collided head-on with another car travelling in the opposite direction.
The head-on collision left the 82-year-old front-seat passenger of the car, Neville Westbrooke Squires, dead and its driver in Dunedin Hospital.
The hospital told Channel NewsAsia the driver had to undergo surgery for her injuries.
Three Singaporean passengers from the SUV are also warded in Dunedin Hospital.
Two of them had to undergo surgery and all three are in a surgical ward.
The hospital said the three Singaporeans are in stable condition and their injuries are not life-threatening.
Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said its High Commission in New Zealand is aware of the case and is in touch with the four Singaporeans and their family members to provide assistance.
It said that it will continue to render the necessary consular assistance to the Singaporeans involved.
Police investigations are ongoing and more charges are likely.
- CNA/jc
