Road users in parts of the South, including Queenstown Lakes, Central Otago, Wanaka and Twizel, are warned to watch out for black ice after overnight rain and cold temperatures in these areas.
The Lindis Pass on State Highway 8 (Tarras to Omarama) remained closed after a truck and trailer jack-knifed on a bridge earlier today, blocking part of the alpine pass near the crossroad with Old Faithful Rd, police said.
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said no-one was injured in the crash, which was reported about 4.55am.
Crews from Omarama, Luggate, Cromwell and Tarras attended, he said. On arrival, they discovered there was black ice on the roads which made the alpine pass "very treacherous".
A spokeswoman for the NZ Transport Agency said about 11.30am that repairs were being made to the Morven Hill Bridge and SH8 was down to one lane under Stop/Go traffic management.
Delays could be expected and road users were advised to take extra care, she said.
Meanwhile, just before 7am, another car was involved in a crash after it rolled on the Luggate-Tarras Rd (SH8A), near the Red Bridge, the Fenz spokesman said.
There have been several reports of crashes in the Wanaka and Twizel area since 6am, he said.
"We want people to be very careful out there".
St John spokesman Gerard Campbell said staff were notified about the Luggate-Tarras Rd crash at 6.59am and sent an ambulance. One person was treated at the scene for minor injuries.
An ambulance was also sent to a crash on the Wanaka-Luggate Highway (SH6) after being alerted at 6.22am. One person was treated at the scene for minor injuries.
And two people were taken to Lakes District Hospital with minor injuries after a crash in Malaghans Rd, near Arrowtown. St John was alerted to that incident at 7.33am, Mr Campbell said.
Police urged motorists to take extra care due to the wintry road conditions.
"Roads can become icy and slick when it's cold so remember to increase the following distance between you and the car in front to ensure you have enough time to stop safely.
"When you’re on a wet, icy, or snowy road, it’s important not to brake suddenly or to accelerate quickly, as you could aquaplane or skid.
"In these situations, more than ever, driving to the conditions is crucial. Slow down to arrive alive."
A spokesman for the Queenstown Lakes District Council said earlier this morning that black ice had formed on numerous roads. He said this was extremely hard to spot, and although contractors were gritting roads there may be some areas that were still hazardous.
"Roads will be dangerous, so first and foremost, please adjust your speeds today and drive with extra caution."
There was black ice on Malaghans Rd, in the Dalefield area, in the Cardrona Valley and up on the Crown Range, linking Queenstown and Wanaka, he said.
it was also icy between Queenstown and Arthurs Point, so road users would need to be extra cautious when driving over bridge decks or through shady spots.
In Central Otago, there was black ice also affecting roads in Alexandra and Clyde.
In Southland, the Homer Tunnel on the Milford Road (SH94) will close from 6pm tonight until 1am tomorrow for maintenance.
The tunnel will temporarily open to vehicles queued from 9pm to 9.15pm to clear any traffic. Road users should plan their journeys accordingly.
- ODT Online and Kerre Waterworth
