Photo: Waka Kotahi / NZ Transport Agency
Three people have been taken to hospital, one with critical injuries, after a crash between a bus and a vehicle on the West Coast of the South Island on Friday evening.
Emergency services were called to State Highway 6, near the Kakapotahi River, south of Hokitika, around 6.30pm.
St John said three people were injured.
"Two patients, one in a moderate condition and another in a serious condition were transported to Greymouth Hospital. A third patient in a critical condition was airlifted to Christchurch Hospital," a St John spokesperson said.
"Two ambulances, two rapid response units, two operations managers and a helicopter were dispatched to the scene."
Fire and Emergency said crews freed a person who was trapped inside a vehicle.
The New Zealand Transport Agenct said State Highway 6 was blocked north of Waitaha Road.
UPDATE 8:20PM
— NZ Transport Agency - Canterbury & West Coast (@nztacwc) January 31, 2025
The road remains CLOSED north of Waitaha Rd and is not expected to open for several hours as heavy tow is required, and SCU will be attending. Delay your journey as no suitable detour is available. For overnight updates: https://t.co/xquZyFfafg ^EH https://t.co/RYEfGBzI81
It was warning motorists the road would be closed for many hours as a heavy tow would be needed.
Motorists should delay their journeys because no detour was available.
The serious crash unit was also expected to attend.
It was the second crash involving a bus on Friday.
Police said five people were injured and about 700 homes lost power after a Wellington Metlink bus ran across a roundabout before hitting and partially knocking down a pole in Wainuiomata, a suburb of Lower Hutt, just before midday.
Power was restored by 2:30pm.
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