Man killed in head-on collision with truck named

File photo / NZ Herald

The mother of a Northern Irishman killed in a head-on crash in Mid Canterbury last night posted a message to her son online after the crash, without knowing he had died.

Margaret Nelson didn't yet know that her 30-year old son, John Paul Nelson, was already dead when she posted a message saying she hoped he was keeping well.

Farm worker Mr Nelson was driving a 4WD Toyota ute heading north on State Highway 1 near Hinds when police believed he crossed the centreline and ploughed into a southbound truck and trailer at about 8.30pm.

The ute flipped onto its roof and Mr Nelson, from Glenavy in County Antrim, died at the scene.

He had been in New Zealand since November last year, working in the Mid Canterbury area.

At about 2am (3pm Northern Ireland time) his mother Margaret sent him a Facebook message. "Well son, how it going out there. Hope u are keeping well and not working 2 hard haha," she posted.

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.

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