A head-on crash between two cars on SH1 in Maheno, a small township of North Otago, south of Oamaru has left nine people with serious to moderate injuries.
Amongst the injured is an Indian family residing in Christchurch- Sam Vikram Konda, his wife Shweta Devaputra, their two children one aged seven-years and the other seven-month-old baby.
The accident happened on Sunday, December 17 at the intersection of SH1 and Maheno-Kakanui Rd near the Kakanui River bridge at around 6 p.m. when a red Toyota car carrying three people and a Mitsubishi people-mover carrying a family had a head-on crash.
Firefighters pulling out the injured from the mangled red Toyota car carrying three members of a family (Picture: NZ Herald)
Nine ambulances and three Westpac Rescue choppers flew to the accident scene, and all nine injured were taken to Dunedin hospital.
The driver of the Toyota car, a 42-year old Waimate woman received serious injuries and her passengers — a 1-year-old baby and a 16-year-old — received moderate injuries.
Injured Sam Konda in Dunedin Hospital (Picture: Supplied by NZTA)
The occupants of the Mitsubishi car were trapped inside the mangled vehicle and were taken out by the firefighters using jaws of life.
The car also had Indian woman Shweta Devaputra’s sister Sheetal Devaputra and father Sukumar Devaputra who had just come two weeks ago from India for a holiday with the family.
As per community sources, Sam Konda received fractures in the left-hand right leg and may have to undergo surgery. Sam’s wife injured her leg and received minor scars on her face. The couple’s seven-year-old son received severe head injury and dislocated his right leg. Their seven-month-old baby boy escaped unharmed miraculously.
Injured seven-year-old son of Mr Sam Konda in Dunedin Hospital (Picture: Supplied by NZTA)
Shweta’s visiting sister received minor injuries, but their father Sukumar Devaputra suffered a massive blow to his chest, possible broken ribs and other minor injuries on his body. Mr Sukumar is diabetic, has high blood pressure and already gone a bypass surgery in the past.
The family belongs to the state of Hyderabad in India and Sam has been living in New Zealand for the last four years.
Injured Ms Shweta Devaputra in Dunedin Hospital (Picture: Supplied by NZTA)
Six of the nine people injured are still in Dunedin Hospital receiving treatment while three were discharged on Monday. All six patients in a stable condition, a hospital spokesperson confirmed media.
One person, who was in intensive care, was transferred to a general ward, a Southern District Health Board spokeswoman said on Tuesday, December 19.
New Zealand Telugu Association calls for help:
The New Zealand Telugu Association (NZTA) has appealed the community members to contribute to help the family recover from this devastating accident.
Speaking exclusively to The Indian Weekender, Dharmendra Alle, president of NZTA appealed the community for their generous help as the visiting family are on a visitor visa and might not be eligible for the public funded medical facility.
“It is sad to see the family going through so much pain. People who wish to help the family can contribute to New Zealand Telugu Association’s (NZTA’s) bank account and the fund will be forwarded to Sam Konda’s family,” Dharmendra Alle, NZTA president appealed via The Indian Weekender.
Ramesh Shampuri, a local of the region has taken the seven-month-old baby with him to his house, and the baby is being taken care of his family, NZTA president told The Indian Weekender.
Anyone wishing to contribute, please contact New Zealand Telugu Association on 0212663666 or check their Facebook page for bank account details.
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