Speed, alcohol and road conditions were factors in the fatal car crash at Canvastown about 9pm on Sunday, say police.
Senior Constable Maurice Horne, of Havelock, said Wayne William Anderson, 52, from Westport, could have been speeding in a temporary 50kmh zone in place after floods in the area last week.
The road through Canvastown is usually a 100kmh zone, but heavy rain which flooded the Wakamarina Valley damaged roads and washed away tarseal.
Mr Anderson, who was travelling from Havelock toward Nelson on Sunday, clipped a guard rail on Racecourse Creek and lost control of his Ford Explorer four-wheel-drive truck, which flipped.
A witness, who was about 800 metres away with an unobstructed view, saw the car spin four times in the air before landing, Mr Horne said.
Mr Anderson had a meal at Clubs Marlborough, in Blenheim, earlier that night where he drank alcohol, he said. Police also found an open bottle of alcohol in the car.
His Ford Explorer landed on its roof in an area of flood water. Mr Anderson had not been wearing his seatbelt when the car crashed and went through the driver's side window, Mr Horne said. He died at the scene.
Mr Anderson, who was a machine operator for a coal mining company in Westport, moved to Marlborough about a week ago.
Havelock and Rai Valley volunteer fire brigades were called to the crash as well as a St John ambulance.
The death is the 11th on the roads during the official holiday period, which ends at 6am tomorrow.
SIMON WONG - The Marlborough Express
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