One dead, three injured, in North Canterbury highway crash

Friday, 13 February 2026

A person is dead and three others injured after a crash on a major South Island highway.

State Highway 7 closed at Waikari, between McRaes and Mt Alexander roads in Hurunui, after emergency services received reports of the single-vehicle crash about 6.40am. The highway reopened about 12.35pm.

Four people were extracted from the vehicle, Fire and Emergency’s southern shift manager said.

A helicopter, a critical care unit, three ambulances, two managers and an incident management vehicle were sent.

“Despite best efforts by emergency services sadly one person died at the scene,” police said.

Regarding the three injured, Hato Hone St John initially said one person was seriously injured and two others were in a moderate condition.

The three were taken to Christchurch Hospital.

The Serious Crash Unit had been advised and inquiries were ongoing, police said.

State Highway 7 runs from Waipara to Greymouth, via Reefton.