Fatal crash on State Highway 3 at Kai Iwi near Whanganui

Emergency services are attending a serious crash on State Highway 3 near Whanganui. Photo / Bevan Conley

A person has died following a crash between a truck and a car on State Highway 3 at Kai Iwi near Whanganui.

The crash happened outside Kai Iwi School just after 12.30pm on Friday, October 23. Two fire engines and another Fire and Emergency vehicle, two ambulances and a number of police vehicles attended the incident.

A police spokeswoman said emergency services were alerted to the two vehicle crash at 12.41pm.

Traffic was backed up with at least five milk or stock trucks waiting on either side of the crash site.

The road remains closed and a diversion is in place for cars and smaller vehicles.

Light vehicles travelling northbound can detour via Kai Iwi Valley Rd on to Handley Rd, Maxwell Station Rd and then back on to SH3. Southbound vehicles can use Rangitautau East Rd, onto Brunswick Rd, Blueskin Rd and back on to SH3.

The detour is not suitable for heavy vehicles.

Enquiries into the crash are continuing.