A young tourist family had the fright of their lives when the - TopicsExpress

A young tourist family had the fright of their lives when the campervan they were travelling in flipped onto its side near Mount Cook Village today. The area has been plagued by gale force winds for most of the day, sometimes gusting up to 200km/h. DOC Senior Ranger David Dittmer says the family had been driving cautiously given the conditions, but the winds were so strong their high-sided vehicle didnt stand a chance. The family was still trapped in the campervan when the Mount Cook fire crew arrived, and had to be helped to escape through the back window. Mr Dittmer says a fire crew and ambulance attended the incident but everyone in the van was wearing a seatbelt and nobody was injured. The winds have been so strong since, averaging 100km/h, the van is still lying on its side on the Tasman Road, near the Hooker Bridge 4km from the Mount Cook Village. Mr Dittmer says high wind warnings have temporarily closed some roads in the area. Advertisement Heavy rain and severe gales batter South Island and lower North Severe weather warnings are in place for Wellington and much of the South Island, bringing heavy rain and severe gales. A very strong, moist northwest flow will bring heavy rain to the West Coast and Southern Alps today and tonight, MetService says. In total, 100 to 180mm of rain is expected over Fiordland and the ranges of Westland, with significant spillover into Otago and Canterbury lakes and rivers. Another burst of heavy rain is likely to affect Fiordland and Westland, causing streams and rivers to rise rapidly and bringing slips and surface flooding. The lower North escapes the rain but severe gales are likely for Marlborough, Wellington and Wairarapa. Gusts could reach up to 160 km/h. tvnz.co.nz/national-news/severe-gales-flip-tourists-campervan-6121060 Linda Litt Ben Brown Catherine Murray Helen Murray Isabella Brown Louis Puzzleman