“Detours are in place and the road is expected to be closed for some time.”
Two hours after the crash the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) fully closed the road. A police spokesperson confirmed this was due to the same crash.
A St John spokesperson said one person was airlifted to Christchurch Hospital in serious condition.
“One PRIME responder, one first response unit, and one helicopter responded.”
Motorists have been warned to reverse if they are travelling northbound or detour via SH6 O’Sullivan’s Bridge, SH69 Inangahua Jnc to SH7 Reefton to Springs Junction if they are travelling south.