A person has died in a serious crash on State Highway 1 north of Timaru this morning.
Police were called about 6.15am to the crash between Orari and Rangitata, Sergeant Chris Brooks said.
SH1 is closed and diversions are in place at Edgar Rd and Old Main South Rd.
Rangitata resident John Hands said he woke up to the sound of cars streaming past his house, on Looker Rd off State Highway 1.
He said there were trucks backed up for about 500m on the highway and traffic was diverted down the side road.
He could see about four fire engines as well as multiple police cars at the scene.
"The traffic's been going up and down the road here. When that starts happening from 6 in the morning, even though we're surrounding by cows, there's usually a reason. And that was the reason.
"When we were feeding we could see all the lights and drama and that," Mr Hands said.
He could not see what type of vehicles were involved in the fatal crash.
The roads were not as icy as yesterday but there was still a strong frost on the ground, he said.
Snow had fallen down to about 400m, he said.
"It's not as bad as it was yesterday but there's a good frost here at the moment, ice on the water troughs and all that," Mr Hands said.
