Two seriously injured after van with eight people aboard leaves road southwest of Nelson City

The crash happened on State Highway 65 southwest of Murchison. Map / Google

Two people are seriously injured and one moderately injured after a rural crash southwest of Nelson City after a van left the road.

The crash happened at 2.10pm near the intersection of State Highway 65 and Maruia West Bank Rd, which is southwest of Murchison and about 25km by road from the town.

Traffic is down to one lane on SH65 with a stop/go in place.

Two rescue helicopters attended the crash and Fire and Emergency New Zealand personnel attended the scene.

"Police were called to a single-car crash around 2.35pm today at that location, a police spokeswoman said.

"A van has gone off the road," she said.

Eight people were in the van and the serious crash unit is currently on the way to the crash site.

SH65 SHENANDOAH - CRASH - 3:00PM

A serious #crash is blocking the road just south of Shenandoah, near the intersection with Maruia West Bank Road. Police are on site, helicopter is en route. Please avoid the area. ^EL pic.twitter.com/8HU5PHjv8R

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Top of the South (@WakaKotahiTotS) April 8, 2018

3:35PM UPDATE: The road is now under STOP/GO. ^EL
https://t.co/u12vYzUAY5

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Top of the South (@WakaKotahiTotS) April 8, 2018

Two fire units from Murchison were at the scene and firefighters were attempting to free trapped occupants.