Motorist killed after car hit by rockfall near Murchison in South Island

The crash occurred on SH6 near Murchison. Photo / Google

A 59-year-old Canterbury man has died after rockfall struck his vehicle near Murchison this afternoon.

Another person in the vehicle suffered minor injuries, a police spokeswoman said.

The crash occurred around 1.50pm around 800m north of O'Sullivans Bridge on SH6, she said.

A single boulder rolled onto the highway near the intersection of SH6 and SH65
and is believed to have smashed into a car heading towards Murchison, an NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) spokesperson said.

The highway has been closed and motorists have been advised to avoid the area.

A section of SH6 north of Murchison has been closed since Sunday after torrential rain caused landslips. It was reopened this afternoon.

This afternoon's crash occurred on a different section of highway, west of Murchison.