A woman has died after crashing into a school bus in Canterbury this morning in icy conditions, where there had been about 25 crashes since 6am.
Freezing overnight temperatures and black ice have led to treacherous conditions on the roads.
Police said the woman was the sole occupant of a Toyota Surf and was travelling towards Christchurch on State Highway 75 Christchurch-Akaroa Road shortly after 7.30am when she lost control crossing McQueens Bridge at Gebbies Valley.
Sergeant Paul Piper said it appeared that the woman had slid on a large patch of black ice and died at the scene.
The male driver and sole occupant of the school bus was trapped for about an hour before being freed by firefighters.
He was taken to Christchurch Hospital by Westpac Rescue Helicopter with moderate injuries.
The woman's name will be released after next of kin have been informed. The death has been referred to the Coroner.
The Christchurch-Akaroa Road was closed for about four hours while Canterbury's serious crash unit completed a scene examination and cleared the area.
"Black ice is extremely dangerous and with forecasts of more heavy frosts in the coming days it is important that all road users take extra care when travelling on state highways, rural and residential roads in the district," Mr Piper said.
A Southern Police spokesman said police had attended about 25 crashes this morning.
He could not say how many of the incidents had involved collisions, but most were minor crashes where vehicles had slipped off the road.
Christchurch Transport Operations Centre said motorists were urged to take extreme care due to black ice throughout the region.
