Elderly man dies after crash near Christchurch

An elderly man has died in a vehicle accident on State Highway 1 north of Christchurch.

Emergency services were called to the scene, south of Greta Valley, around 1.28am where a car had left the road and collided with a bank.

The sole occupant, a 68-year-old man, died as a result of his injuries.

Police from Amberley and the Serious Crash Unit are investigating the cause of the crash.

The state highway has had a single lane opened and motorists can expect delays.

- NZ Herald staff