One person has died and three others have been seriously injured in a crash on the Crown Range near Queenstown this afternoon.
Emergency services were alerted to the crash involving two vehicles around 3.55pm.
“Crown Range Road has been closed at the intersection with Gibbston Highway / State Highway 6,” a police spokesperson said.
“The road is expected to remain closed for some time as the serious crash unit examines the crash scene.”
St John said it responded with four helicopters, four ambulances, one manager, one rapid response unit and one major incident support team.
“Our crews assessed and treated seven patients: three in a serious condition and one in a moderate condition, all airlifted to Dunedin Hospital,” a spokesperson said.
“Further, two patients in a moderate condition, and one patient in a minor condition have been transported by road to Lakes District Hospital.”
Fire and Emergency NZ said it responded with two crews from Wānaka and that one person had to be extricated from the vehicle.
Queenstown Lakes District Council said on its Facebook page it understood there had been a crash on the Crown Range Road this afternoon.
“Commuters will need to take an alternative route through Kawarau Gorge/SH6 via Cromwell.”