Ambulances and rescue helicopter respond to Crown Range crash

Only a short time after a jack-knifed truck closed the Kawarau Gorge emergency services are responding to a single vehicle crash on the Crown Range road, the only alternate route from Queenstown to the north.

Police have told Crux that the road has been cleared and is open but there are no details yet of the number of injuries if any. A rescue helicopter is on the way to the scene as well as ambulances from both Queenstown and Wānaka.

Crux has been told by emergency services that cell phone and radio coverage from the accident site is marginal. 

The accident happened near the intersection of Eastburn Road and Cadrona Valley Road.

There has been heavy rain in the area overnight.

Witnesses say a crashed vehicle is on its side.