Four people injured, two critically, in serious crash north of Invercargill

Emergency services were called to the smash along State Highway 6, near Makarewa, shortly before 4pm. Photo / File

Four people have been injured, two critically, in a serious multi-vehicle crash north of Invercargill.

Emergency services were called to the smash along State Highway 6, near Makarewa, shortly before 4pm.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) southern shift manager Andrew Norris said two people were trapped in two vehicles and were rescued by Fenz crews.

Two rescue tenders and two appliances attended the crash from the Invercargill and Wallacetown stations.

A St John Ambulance spokesman said two people were critically injured, one person was seriously injured and one person had minor injuries following the crash.

One person has been airlifted to Southland Hospital, with the other three to follow, he said.

Two helicopters and three ambulances were sent to the scene between Counsell Rd and North Makarewa Grove Bush Rd.

UPDATE 4:40PM
Due to a serious crash, SH6 #Makarewa is CLOSED between Counsell Rd & North Makarewa-Grove Bush Rd. Contractors are on-site. Please continue to use North Makarewa Grove Bush Rd & Branxholme Makarewa Rd as alternative routes. ^EHhttps://t.co/mmDFfROecP

— Waka Kotahi Otago & Southland (@WakaKotahiOS) September 2, 2020

State Highway 6 will be closed overnight, between Counsell Rd and North Makarewa-Grove Bush Rd, police said in a statement.

"Police will return to the scene tomorrow to continue the investigation into the cause of the crash."

Diversions are in place but motorists are asked to avoid the area if possible.