Police are calling for witnesses after a woman was killed and three people injured in a crash near Greymouth.
Shortly after 6.15pm last night a southbound car collided with a northbound car on State Highway 7 near Stillwater, east of Greymouth, police said in a statement.
The 56-year-old woman driving the northbound car died at the scene.
"The driver of the southbound car was thrown from the car and sustained serious injuries.
He was airlifted to Christchurch Hospital, where he is reported to be in a critical condition," police said.
Two teenage passengers who were travelling in the northbound car suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries, and were taken to hospital.
The road was closed while a scene examination was carried out overnight, but has been reopened.
Anyone who saw the crash has been asked to call police on 105, and give the event number 220501/3591.