Manawatū two-vehicle crash: Police confirm one person dead, one seriously injured

One person has died and another is seriously injured following a two-vehicle crash in Manawatū this afternoon.

Emergency services responded to the crash on Cheltenham-Hunterville Rd at Beaconsfield, Manawatū, about 4.45pm.

A Hato Hone St John spokesperson said one patient was flown to Palmerston North Hospital in a critical condition, and a second patient was taken to Palmerston North Hospital in a serious condition by ambulance.

In an update shortly before 9pm, police confirmed one person had died.

UPDATE 7:15PM
SH54 is now CLOSED between Cheltenham and Wiliamson Rd East. Please follow the directions of contractors on-site or consider an alternate route. ^EH https://t.co/TFKcDySwe8 pic.twitter.com/qbPSZ7d1wM

— NZ Transport Agency - Central North Island (@nztacni) September 12, 2024

The Serious Crash Unit was conducting a scene examination.

“The road is closed and diversions are in place, motorists are advised to take an alternate route and expect delays,” police said.

St John responded with one helicopter, three ambulances and two rapid response vehicles.

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