30 Sep 2014

Tourist dies in South Canterbury crash

7:32 pm on 30 September 2014

A female tourist is dead after a head-on crash between Geraldine and Fairlie, in Canterbury, and three other people have been taken to hospital.

One of the cars involved in the fatal crash between Geraldine and Fairlie

One of the cars involved in the fatal crash between Geraldine and Fairlie. Photo: NZ Police

A police spokesperson said the woman died at the scene of the midday crash, which had closed State Highway 79 between the two towns.

A female and a male tourist have been airlifted to Christchurch hospital with serious injuries, while a second man has been taken to Timaru hospital by ambulance.

Police are investigating the cause of the crash.

Meanwhile, one person is in a critical condition after a three-car crash on State Highway 1 in North Canterbury this afternoon.

A police spokesperson said emergency services were at the scene, outside the Waikuku Z Service Station, but are unable to confirm how many other people are injured.

The highway was closed in both directions for several hours but had since reopened.