Wednesday 6:20 am

State Highway 1 reopened around 12:30 am overnight. The road was closed for just over nine hours while the incident was resolved.

8:50 pm

State Highway 1 remains closed between Ward and Wharenui tonight as a Police Serious Crash Unit (SCU) investigation into this afternoon’s crash continues. Police have confirmed one person has died as a result of this incident.

The highway will reopen once the SCU investigation is complete and the crash site is cleared. 

4:30 pm

Police have confirmed the Serious Crash Unit is attending the incident to conduct an investigation into this afternoon’s serious crash on State Highway 1 in southern Marlborough

The highway is expected to remain closed until this work is complete, and there is currently no estimated time for when it may reopen.

Drivers planning to travel between Blenheim and Christchurch should avoid the area, delay their travel, or use the inland route detour (see details below).

3:45pm

Travel delays and disruption can be expected on State Highway 1 in southern Marlborough following a serious crash south of Ward this afternoon.

The crash was reported shortly before 3 pm. Police have confirmed three vehicles are involved.The highway is currently CLOSED to all traffic between Ward and Wharanui.

No local road detours are available, meaning there is no direct link on State Highway 1 between  Marlborough and Kaikoura until this incident is resolved.

Emergency services are at the scene and contractors are attending. At this stage, there is no estimated time for the highway to reopen, and it is expected to remain closed for some time.

Drivers should  avoid the area, delay their journey, or use an alternative route. 

Traffic travelling between Blenheim and Christchurch should use the inland route via SH63 Wairau Valley, SH6 to Murchison, SH65 to Lewis Springs and SH7 Springs Junction to Culverden.

This is a much longer journey and drivers should plan accordingly, particularly those with ferry connections in Picton.