Fatal Cromwell crash closes road at new roundabout

UPDATED 2.45PM: Police have confirmed the sole occupant of the car that crashed has died at the scene. Enquiries into what went wrong are underway. Detours are in place and are expected to remain for several hours as investigators are at the scene. 

UPDATED 1.45PM: State Highway 8B is now open, but a local road closure remains in place on Barry Avenue in Cromwell.

A roundabout at the entrance to Cromwell is blocked after what police are calling a "serious single-vehicle crash".

State Highway 8B is blocked at the roundabout at the intersection with Barry Ave.

Emergency services were called to the scene at around 11.25am, police have said in a statement.

Waka Kotahi says the highway has been closed and motorists are advised to avoid the area or delay their journeys if possible. 

Last month a rubbish truck tipped driving through the roundabout, strewing some of its contents over the roadside.

The roundabout is one of two recently built on State Highway 8B in Cromwell.

Main image: Facebook/Waka Kotahi