Coroner rules driver error and lack of seatbelts caused fatal crash

Wednesday 13 August 2025 · 5 outlets · 5 reports · updated Wed 13 Aug 2025, 9:48am

In this story Mary-Anne Borrowdale

A coroner has found that a head-on collision near Geraldine in August 2024 killed four South Korean skiers. The ruling stated the crash was caused by the coach crossing the centre line, while the occupants' injuries were worsened because they were not wearing seatbelts.

How they headlined it

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1. NZ HeraldWed 13 Aug 2025, 5:00am

   Korean national ski team crash: Coroner finds driver error, lack of seatbelts key factors (opens in new tab)

2. StuffWed 13 Aug 2025, 5:00am

   South Korean skiers who died from crash injuries were not wearing seatbelts (opens in new tab)

3. RNZWed 13 Aug 2025, 8:32am

   South Korean skiers' lack of seatbelts made deadly car crash worse - coroner (opens in new tab)

4. 1News via RNZWed 13 Aug 2025, 8:40am

   Visiting skiers' lack of seatbelts made crash injuries worse - coroner (opens in new tab)

5. Otago Daily TimesWed 13 Aug 2025, 9:48am

   Skiers killed in crash with Wānaka man not wearing seatbelts (opens in new tab)