State Highway One has been closed following a serious crash at Mangamaunu, north of Kaikoura.
The head-on crash happened about 4pm and involved a four-wheel drive vehicle and a camper van.
The male driver of the camper van has been flown to Wellington Hospital in a serious condition. His female passenger was uninjured.
The sole occupant of the four-wheel drive has been flown to Christchurch Hospital, also in a serious condition. Both men had to be cut from their vehicles.
Sergeant Julian Lewis of Kaikoura said it was likely the state highway would be closed until about 8pm.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ??
He said the crash occurred on a slight bend and weather at the time was good. A serious crash investigation is under way.
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