A bus has crashed on Athol Five Rivers Highway near Lowther in Southland this morning. Image / Google Maps
A bus has crashed on Athol Five Rivers Highway near Lowther in Southland this morning. Image / Google Maps
A Chinese tour group bus has crashed on a Southland highway after reports of black ice on the road.
The southbound lane of the Athol Five Rivers Highway, in Lowther, was closed after the incident.
Hato Hone St John, which was notified of the crash at 8.26am, said 12patients in total were assessed at the scene.
Four people were transported to Invercargill Hospital, one in serious condition, two in moderate condition, and one in minor condition. The remaining eight patients were in a minor condition, a spokesperson said, and did not require transportation to the hospital.
Fire and Emergency shift manager Simon Lyford said crews from Athol, Winton, Lumsden, Mossburn and Garston are responding.
He said they were not yet on scene, but a large number of crews had been called because it’s thought to be icy on the road.
Lyford said one vehicle was involved.
Police said in a statement: “Police ask drivers to avoid the area and take alternative routes where possible. Police ask people to drive to the conditions and consider black ice during cold times of the day.”
