Two injured in North Otago crash caused by cellphone distraction

Monday 8 December 2025 · 3 outlets · 3 reports · updated Mon 8 Dec 2025, 8:45pm

Two people were hospitalised with moderate injuries after a two-vehicle crash on State Highway 1 near Hampden on Sunday. Police say the driver of one vehicle admitted to being distracted by changing music on a cellphone. The highway was closed for several hours following the incident.

How they headlined it

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1. Otago Daily TimesMon 8 Dec 2025, 3:52pm

   'Moment of recklessness': Phone use blamed for crash (opens in new tab)

2. RNZMon 8 Dec 2025, 5:11pm

   Cellphone crash in North Otago: 'A moment of recklessness' (opens in new tab)

3. The PressMon 8 Dec 2025, 8:45pm

   Driver’s ‘moment of recklessness’ closes SH1 and leaves two in hospital (opens in new tab)