One dead, three injured in crash near Tekapo

Emergency services were alerted to the crash about 9am on Saturday. Photo: Supplied

One person has died and three people have been injured in a crash which has closed the highway near Lake Tekapo.

Emergency services were alerted to a two-car crash on State Highway 8 near Lake Tekapo township about 9am.

In an update shortly before midday police confirmed one person had been killed and three people had been airlifted to Christchurch Hospital with moderate injuries.

UPDATE 3:20PM
SCU continue their investigation of this crash on SH8 at Lake #Tekapo & the road remains CLOSED. Please delay your journey or detour via SH8 Twizel, SH83 Omarama & SH82 Kurow (this will add approximately 3.5 hours to your journey). ^APhttps://t.co/D71yUIEYpT
— NZ Transport Agency - Canterbury & West Coast (@nztacwc) October 24, 2020

The accident blocked the highway, which was still closed at 11.45am. Police said extensive delays were still expected. Motorists were asked to delay travel in the area.

Police said an alternate route would be Waimate to Kurow (southbound) on SH82 and SH83.

There was no word on the cause of the crash.

The crash brings the holiday weekend road toll to three after fatal crashes in the North Island yesterday evening and early today.

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