Fire crews called to ‘moving’ slip on main road between Christchurch and Akaroa

Fire crews were alerted at approximately 7.15am to the slip on the rural State Highway 75, the Christchurch-Akaroa Rd which passes between the two districts. Photo / George Heard

A slip described as “moving” by a caller to emergency services has closed the main route between Christchurch and Akaroa.

Fire crews were alerted at approximately 7.15am to the slip on the rural State Highway 75, the Christchurch-Akaroa Rd which passes between the two districts.

Fire crews were alerted at approximately 7.15am to the slip on the rural State Highway 75, the Christchurch-Akaroa Rd which passes between the two districts. Photo / George Heard

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency released a statement at 7.30am to alert that there had been flooding between Birdlings Flat and Little River.

Fire and Emergency’s Alex Norris said contractors have engaged as well as police.

“When we got the call, the person on the line said it was still moving - so we treated it as a dangerous thing,” Norris told NZME.

“We wanted to make sure it was safe in case a car tried to get past, so we closed the road.”

Fire crews were alerted at approximately 7.15am to the slip on the rural State Highway 75, the Christchurch-Akaroa Rd which passes between the two districts. Photo / George Heard

Five crews attended the incident and contractors were working to clear the debris from the slip, which is 3km from Little River.

“The [fire crews] are just being released from the scene, they’re handing over to appropriate authorities..”