Serious crash - SH1 - Hurunui River bridge

Emergency services are currently attending a serious motor vehicle crash involving a truck and a car at the Hurunui River Bridge on State Highway One, south of the North Canterbury town of Cheviot. The road is blocked and expected to be completely closed to traffic for the next couple of hours at least.

Diversions have been put in place as follows:

• Northbound traffic: SH1 (at Waipara) onto SH7 through to Waikari, Culverden onto Rotheram Road through to Waiau, Leader Road West back through to SH1.
• Southbound traffic: SH1 (just north of Parnassus) onto Leader Road East through to Waiau, onto SH7 Culverden, Waikari, back on to SH1 at Waipara.

Police urge motorists to factor in delays due to the diversions in place, or otherwise delay their travel plans.

An update on when the road is expected to re-open will be given once this can be determined, but this is unlikely to be before 1300 hours (1 pm) at the earliest.

UPDATE: 1200 hours:
The male occupant of the car, who was initially trapped, has now been freed and is being taken to Christchurch Hospital by rescue helicopter with serious leg injuries. The truck driver suffered only minor injuries and is being treated at the scene. No other details are available as this stage as to the condition or identity of the injured person.

One lane has been re-opened and traffic is being controlled through the crash scene by roading agency and police staff. Motorists can expect delays to continue until the scene is completely cleared and both lanes are free, which could be another hour or more.