Emergency services are responding to a major crash on Hinds Highway, near Ashburton.
Emergency services are responding to a major crash on Hinds Highway, near Ashburton.
Three helicopters responded to a serious crash this afternoon involving five vehicles on a stretch of State Highway 1 known as Hinds Highway, with five people being transported to hospital.
Hato Hone St John said it was notified of the crash at 3.22pm and responded with three helicopters, two ambulances,one first response unit, one manager and one rapid response vehicle.
Six patients were assessed at the scene by ambulance crews and three were taken to Christchurch Hospital by helicopter. One was in a critical condition, one in a serious condition and one in a moderate condition.
Two people were taken to Ashburton Hospital by ambulance, one in a moderate condition and one in a minor condition, while one patient was in a minor condition and did not need to be taken to hospital.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand said it was alerted to the crash just after 3.20pm.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said the police Serious Crash Unit was at the scene.
Part of Hinds Highway, south of Ashburton, is blocked after a five-vehicle crash. Photo / Google
Two fire engines from Ashburton and one from each of Geraldine and Hinds were in attendance, as were police and ambulance staff.
NZTA said the serious crash was reported south of Ashburton between Windermere Rd and Lynnford Rd.
Hinds Highway was closed south of Ashburton, with closure points in place at Windermere Rd and Swamp Rd intersections, NZTA said.
The agency has opened a detour for north and southbound traffic, and said the road is likely to be closed for several hours to allow for investigations.
“For southbound traffic, road users should turn left on to Winslow Willowby Rd, then turn right on to Boundary Rd, then turn right on to Lynnford Rd, then turn left to rejoin SH1.” NZTA said. “The reverse applies for northbound traffic.”
UPDATE 4:40PM SH1 is CLOSED south of Ashburton. Closure points are in place at Windermere Rd and Swamp Rd intersections. Consider an alternative route where possible. Police SCU are attending. The road is likely to remain closed for several hours to allow for investigations. https://t.co/u72FX5Nndapic.twitter.com/eT7L6uBwf2
— NZ Transport Agency - Canterbury & West Coast (@nztacwc) October 9, 2025
