File photo. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
One person has died following a crash on the Lindis Pass north of Cromwell in Otago this morning.
Police said the crash took place about 15 kilometres from the summit of the pass on State Highway 8 at about 8:30am.
The crash involved a car and a motorcyclist.
The motorcyclist died at the scene, while the driver of the car received moderate injuries and was taken to hospital.
The road remains closed while emergency services are at the scene.
The pass on State Highway 8 is the main inland route between Canterbury and Otago.
Waka Kotahi said southbound traffic could detour via SH83, SH1, SH85 and back onto SH8, with the reverse available for northbound traffic - with advice to allow up to an additional 2.5 hours for this route.