One dead after two cars crash south of Foxton

Emergency services at the scene of the fatal crash near Foxton. Photo/Ashleigh Collis

A person has died after two cars collided near Foxton this morning.

A St John Ambulance spokeswoman said another person suffered moderate injuries and was being taken to Palmerston North Hospital.

The spokeswoman did not know their gender or age.

The crash was on Levin Rd, State Highway 1, south of Foxton. The road is closed and the Serious Crash Unit is on the way.

Among the traffic being diverted because of the crash is Bill English's campaign bus, which has to take a 45-minute detour on SH57 through Shannon.

The NZ Transport Agency website indicates the crash is near the intersection of SH1 and Whirokino Rd.

ROAD CLOSED: #SH1 Levin to Foxton due to a serious crash near the Whirokino Bridge. Please follow directions of emergency services. ^IF pic.twitter.com/ZNb6YJmvLg

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Central North Island (@WakaKotahiCNI) September 20, 2017

Traffic is being diverted via SH57. Northbound traffic turns off at SH57 to divert through Shannon then to Foxton (to get back on SH1) via Foxton-Shannon Road and reverse for southbound traffic.

One person is dead after the head-on crash. Photo / Ashleigh Collis

At the crash site, Senior Sergeant Sam Gilpin said a southbound and a northbound car had collided head-on.

"One person has died and one person has been taken to Palmerston North Hospital."

Gilpin said it was too early to tell what had caused the crash.