Indian worker dies in Queenstown crash

A worker from Jammu, India, has died following a serious single-vehicle crash at Kawarau Falls, near Queenstown, early Sunday morning.

Sandesh Singh, who had arrived in New Zealand on a work visa around six months ago, was living in Queenstown and working for a commercial cleaning company.

Emergency services were called to the crash on State Highway 6/Kingston Road, between Peninsula Road and Boyd Road, at approximately 3.54am on October 4.

There were four people in the vehicle. Police said one person died at the scene, while three others were injured.

Police said two people in the car had serious injuries; one had critical injuries, while one died at the scene.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand said multiple people were extricated from the vehicle.

One crew from Frankton and another from Queenstown attended.

A second crew from Queenstown arrived with cutting equipment, Fire and Emergency said.

At the time, one lane was open, but the Serious Crash Unit was expected to close the road for a time while investigating the circumstances of the crash.

Singh had come to New Zealand only months earlier, hoping to work hard, build a better future and support his family.

His death has left his family, friends, colleagues and members of the community heartbroken.

His family remains in Jammu, India, thousands of kilometres away, as they await his return home for his final rites surrounded by loved ones.

A Givealittle has also been set up to support Singh’s family following his sudden death and help with the costs associated with bringing him home to India and carrying out his final rites.

The exact circumstances and cause of the crash have not been confirmed, and the investigation remains ongoing.