Cheviot crash: One dead, part of State Highway 1 closed after multi-car collision in North Canterbury

A section of State Highway 1 in North Canterbury is closed after several cars crashed, trapping and injuring passengers inside.

One person has died after a multi-car crash in North Canterbury, which injured six others and forced a closure of State Highway 1.

A Fire and Emergency NZ (Fenz) crew rescued occupants trapped in one of the vehicles just north of Cheviot.

A Fenz spokeswoman said a witness reported that three cars had collided about 4pm.

Two fire crews from Cheviot responded to the incident and were working with other emergency services at the scene, she said.

A police spokesman confirmed they were responding to a “serious” crash in the Hurunui district.

“Initial indications suggest there are serious injuries,” he said.

“State Highway 1/Parnassus Rd is closed just south of Macmillan Rd, and motorists are asked to take alternate routes.”

A police spokesman later confirmed someone had died in the crash. The Serious Crash Unit was on the scene investigating.

The road was likely to remain closed for some time, the spokesman said.

A spokesman for St John Ambulance said they sent three helicopters, four ambulances and one operations manager to the scene.