New Zealand Herald
Copyright 2008 New Zealand Herald

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand — Ambulance service St John has launched an investigation after a high-speed race between two uniformed youth members of the organisation ended in a fiery crash and almost claimed a passing motorist and his six-year-old son yesterday.

The two cars were racing at speeds in excess of 140km/h along McLeans Island Road in north-west Christchurch, a witness told The Press.

The driver of the rear car lost control on the bend outside the Vintage Machinery Park, crashed through a fence and slammed into trees outside the Canterbury Kennel Club.

The car burst into flames which incinerated the wreck and the tree it was wrapped around. The driver escaped with moderate injuries and witnesses said he was wearing the white shirt of "a St John ambulance officer".

A motorist said he and his six-year-old son were returning from a mountainbiking trip when he had to take evasive action to avoid a horrific smash.

They were travelling in the opposite direction when the out-of-control car caused them to veer off the road to avoid a head-on collision.

Constable Paul Beaver, of Christchurch police, said one of the drivers had admitted to a witness they were travelling about 140km/h.

Both drivers were taken to hospital in a St John ambulance.

St John spokeswoman Amy McDermott said the two were returning from a St John event in Waddington, central Canterbury, that required members to wear uniforms.

The two were youth members of the order and were not ambulance officers, she said.

An investigation had been launched.

Road policing manager Inspector Derek Erasmus said the other car had been seized under the Land Transport Act's boy racer provisions.