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Some shops in Hanmer Springs have closed because owners and supply trucks do not have entry into Hanmer Springs while SH7 is closed due to a fatal crash.
A person has died in a two-vehicle crash on State Highway 7 between Culverden and Hanmer Springs in North Canterbury.
Emergency services were called to the intersection of Mouse Point Rd (SH7) and Leslie Hills Rd in the Hurunui District just after 8am on Friday.
One person had died and two others were injured – one seriously and one moderately. The two injured people were taken to Christchurch Hospital
SH7 was closed between the Hanmer Springs turnoff (SH7A) and Leslie Hills Rd, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency said.
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There is no detour route around that part of SH7, and drivers were urged to avoid the area or expect delays.
Another vehicle was involved in a crash on the same stretch of highway earlier on Friday.
A man trying to get back home to Christchurch said he was frustrated with the lack of communication from Waka Kotahi.
The man, who did not want to be named, said Hanmer Springs was “chocka block” as motorists were turning around from the turnoff to SH7 and returning into the township.
“There are people wanting to know if they’ll be able to pick their kids up from school, we just haven’t been given a vague idea on when we can go back,” he said.
Shops had to close because owners and supply trucks did not have entry into Hanmer Springs, he said.
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Hanmer Spring is “chocka block” as people wait for State Highway 7 to open.
“This is a terrible, terrible tragedy, and we are not disregarding that. We just want more communication from Waka Kotahi NZ.”
The man had been in Hanmer Springs for a work retreat, and was hanging out in a cafe with other visitors to the town while waiting for updates from Waka Kotahi.
“We just want better communication. No-one has told us anything except to check the website but the website doesn’t change.”
Waka Kotahi said an alternative route between Canterbury and the West Coast was via SH73, but there were 50-minute delays due to bridge work near Arthur’s Pass.
Those travelling to or from Nelson would need to use SH6 and SH1 via Blenheim and Kaikōura.
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