State Highway One at Waipara north of Christchurch has been partially reopened after a major car crash.
Three people were seriously injured when three cars collided shortly after 4 o'clock on Saturday afternoon just south of the Hanmer Springs turnoff.
The ambulance service says it has taken two patients with serious injuries and another with very serious injuries to Christchurch Hospital.
The police say the southbound lane will be closed for some time yet.
