Man dies after head-on collision with truck

File photo / NZ Herald

A British driver died in a head-on collision with a freight truck in mid-Canterbury last night.

The 30-year old was driving a 4WD Toyota ute heading north on State Highway 1 near Hinds when police believed he crossed the centreline and ploughed into the southbound truck and trailer about 8.30pm.

The ute flipped onto its roof and the driver died at the scene.

Police were working with the British embassy to contact his next of kin.

The driver of the truck, which jack-knifed, suffered minor injuries and was taken to Ashburton Hospital.

Ashburton Sergeant Bryan Ennis said the serious crash unit has inspected the scene but enquiries were ongoing.

SH1, which was closed at the scene last night, reopened today.