Police say alcohol played a part in a fatal car accident near Havelock, Marlborough, last night, where a Mercedes crashed into a bank.  

A 58-year-old man died of his injuries after a CPR attempt to keep him alive was unsuccessful, police said.

It was understood he wasn't wearing a seatbelt when the car crashed on State Highway 6, between Canvastown and Havelock, at 5.55pm.

The man lived in the area, as did a 60-year-old man also injured in the crash. He was airlifted to Nelson Hospital with serious injuries.

The driver, a 43 year old local woman, was not hurt.

Enquires in to the cause of the crash were continuing, but police had so far been able to establish that alcohol was a factor.   

The matter has been referred to the coroner.

Spanish doctors first at fatal crash scene

Two Spanish doctors touring New Zealand in a campervan were the first to come across the fatal crash on State Highway 6 near Havelock last night.

Detective David Woodley, of Blenheim, said the woman, an anaesthetist, and the man, a neurologist, were the first on the scene and performed CPR on the passengers in the car.

A 58-year-old man, believed to be from Canvastown, died after the Mercedes car he was a passenger in crashed into a bank between Canvastown and Havelock about 5.30pm. No other cars were involved.

The tourists also worked on another passenger, a 60-year-old Picton man, who was later airlifted to Nelson Hospital with serious injuries by the Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter. A hospital spokeswoman said this morning the man was in a stable condition.

The doctors live in Madrid and were on holiday in New Zealand, Mr Woodley said. Havelock chief fire officer Alan Stanford said the two doctors were already working on the patients when Havelock volunteer firefighters arrived.

---

Do you know the whereabouts of the Spanish doctors who attended the crash scene?  Click here to contact us.

---

Firefighters assisted the doctors' with CPR, secured the scene and diverted traffic. They left about 10.30pm after the Serious Crash Unit investigated the crash site, Mr Stanford said.

Police released a statement saying they were investigating the cause of the crash, but alcohol was a factor.   They also believe the man was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

At the crash scene last night, Constable Ian Mills, of Blenheim, said the car left the road and hit the bank just past Watson culvert.

It was understood the car was travelling from Havelock towards Nelson, Mr Mills said.

The Serious Crash Unit will continue investigating the cause of the accident and the death has been referred to the Coroner's Office.

- © Fairfax NZ News