Police are urging drivers to take extra care on the roads across the Canterbury region today, with icy conditions reported.
“A number of crashes have already been reported, noting the conditions as a factor.
“Fortunately, no one has been seriously injured.”
The warning comes after a car plummeted off a road in the steep Rakaia Gorge on Sunday morning after sliding on ice.
Three men inside were out by the time firefighters arrived; two in a minor condition were treated at the scene.
Emergency services temporarily closed the road, Inland Scenic Route 72, where the crash occurred, on the north side of the gorge bridges.
Methven Volunteer Fire Brigade chief Brent Anderson said the four-wheel-drive slid on ice before plummeting backwards down a short drop at the lower part of the road.
The vehicle had been travelling north; the occupants bound for Darfield.
The crash was a reminder to drivers to be aware of variable conditions and invisible black ice.
Anderson said sometimes frost may not be on roads at the start of the day due to warmer nor-west conditions but then freeze later in the day if the breeze dies down.
‘‘Just remember that it’s that time of year that the grading trucks have not necessarily been through,’’ he said.
It was the first crash due to ice this year the brigade had attended.
A Hato Hone St John spokesperson said two patients in a minor condition were assessed and treated at the scene.
Police remind drivers to slow down, watch following distances, and turn on the headlights.
“We want everyone to get where they’re going safely.”
