UPDATE: SH6 reopened at 6am, 20 Dec.

One person is dead and two others critically injured after a crash involving two cars and a tour bus on SH6, north of Kingston this afternoon (19 Dec).

Police have confirmed a person in one of the cars has died while two others have critical injuries.

At least two people from the bus are reported to have serious injuries and a number of other people have moderate injuries.

Emergency services responded to the serious crash on State Highway 6 (Kingston Road), near the intersection with Glen Nevis Station Road at 4.05pm.

State Highway 6 north of Kingston is expected to remain closed for several hours, possibly until early morning (20 Dec).

There is currently no way to travel north to Queenstown using SH6.

If you must travel to Queenstown, you will need to divert via Gore/Raes Junction/Cromwell and across to Queenstown.

Southland traffic heading north on SH6 are being stopped at Five Rivers to allow people to turn around if this is necessary.

Motorists are urged to delay travel where possible.