At least 3 puppies and their mother have been rescued from one of the cars. Photo / George Heard
Fire crews rescued the occupants of two cars that collided in Canterbury this morning, along with three pups and their mother.
One person has been critically injured and another has suffered serious injuries.
Fire and Emergency’s Lynn Crosson told the Herald firefighters were called to the Christchurch-Akaroa Rd shortly after 9am.
Firefighters found a person trapped in each car and cut them free.
Fire crews also removed three puppies from one of the crashed cars - a firefighter was also seen carrying a dog in a small kennel.
Helicopters carried away two patients, one in a critical condition and another in a serious condition. Four people in total were injured.
Police Acting Sergeant Jack Lawrie said the road would reopen with stop-go traffic.
“The puppies will be taken to a local vet where they’ll be assessed for injuries,” the sergeant said.
The crash site is between Turrells and Kaituna Valley Rds intersection with State Highway 75 near Prices Valley.
Motorists have been advised to avoid the area, said a police spokesperson, as no diversions are in place.
The Serious Crash Unit has been called and inquiries into the crash are ongoing.
The highway was recently reduced to an 80km/h speed limit given the history of crashes on the road.
Christchurch-Akaroa Rd has been the scene of numerous crashes over the years - last year a car rolled 50m down a steep bank after coming off the rural road.
The seriously injured driver crawled to the top of the bank where he was found by people driving past.
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