Person dies, State Highway 1 closed following crash near Timaru

Police are attending the crash between a car and a truck, on SH 1 in Levels. Photo / File

A person has died after a serious crash near Timaru this morning.

State Highway 1 has also been closed.

Police were at the crash, between a car and a truck, on SH1 in Levels, which occurred about 7.10am.

A rescue helicopter had been dispatched from Christchurch.

A St John spokesman said initially one person in a critical condition and one person with minor injuries were transported to Timaru Hospital.

The person who had been critically injured had since died.

The road was closed between Hedley Rd and Lynch Rd, and diversions were in place.

The detour route for Northbound traffic is to turn right onto Seadown Rd, left on to Dominion Rd and right onto SH1. Reverse for southbound traffic.

Heavy trucks travelling northbound should turn left onto SH8, right on to Levels Plain Rd, right onto Arowhenua Rd then onto SH1.

SH1 SEADOWN (NORTH OF TIMARU) - CRASH - ROAD CLOSED - 7:42AM TUES 29 JAN#SH1 Seadown, intersection Acacia Dr (north of Timaru) is currently CLOSED due to a serious crash. Motorists are advised to please delay your journey or use an alterative route. ^JP pic.twitter.com/x33iWwP29B

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Canterbury & West Coast (@WakaKotahiCWC) January 28, 2019