A 19 year old man has been charged in relation to the deaths of five teenagers who died in a single vehicle crash in Washdyke in August.

Five young men lost their lives after the car they were in, collided with a pole at the intersection of Seadown and Meadows Roads shortly before 7:30pm on 7 August.

A 19-year-old Timaru man has been charged with five counts of manslaughter and is due to appear in the Timaru District Court this afternoon.

Aoraki Area Commander Inspector David Gaskin said Police would like to acknowledge the families of the young men.

”It has been an incredibly difficult time as they come to terms with the loss of their loved ones who died in such terrible circumstances.”

”Timaru is a small community and a number of people have been impacted by this tragedy.”

As this matter is before the Courts, Police are unable to make any further comment.