UPDATE: 3.20pm – Detours being set up after Rakaia crash

Contractors for New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) are working to set up formal detours around a serious crash north of the Rakaia River.

State Highway 1/Main South Road north of the Rakaia River Bridge is closed and emergency services are expected to continue working at the site for several hours.

People are urged to avoid the area or delay their travel if they can. If people are in the area, they can consider travelling inland via State Highway 77 and crossing the river at the Rakaia Gorge. However, people should be aware this involves an additional 100km of travel between Rakaia and Christchurch, and SH77 may also be congested by other detouring traffic.

Further updates will be provided as information is available.

2pm – SH1 closed at Rakaia after serious crash

State Highway 1/Main South Road at Rakaia is now closed because of a serious crash, north of the Rakaia River .

Information on any detours will be provided when confirmed. Emergency services are working at the crash scene near the intersection with North Rakaia Road.

People should consider their travel in the wider Canterbury region accordingly, given a closure of several hours is possible.

1.50pm – Serious crash impacting SH1 at Rakaia

A serious crash on State Highway 1/Main South Road at Rakaia is heavily impacting traffic in the area.

Emergency services are attending the incident near the intersection with North Rakaia Road, and traffic cameras show queues of vehicles leading south onto the Rakaia River Bridge.

Road users should expect delays, and people are urged to avoid the area if they can.

More information will be provided when available.

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