Three trucks have crashed on State Highway 1 between Kaikoura and Blenheim.

Three trucks have crashed on State Highway 1 between Kaikoura and Blenheim.

Emergency services were called to the scene of the crash, about 10 kilometres north of the The Store at Kekerengu, about 5.45am on Thursday.

Marlborough highway patrol team leader Sergeant Barrie Greenall said there were two separate crashes at the same site.

EMMA DANGERFIELD / FAIRFAX NZ A new truck was being delivered to its owner when it was hit from behind. The truck's driver had stopped to check on another crashed truck when the accident happened.

A northbound truck, carrying general freight and timber, crashed on the highway in a single vehicle accident.

The driver of a second truck, heading south, stopped on the side of the road to offer help, when a third truck crashed into the back of it.

The driver of the third truck was flown to Wairau Hospital with injuries.

EMMA DANGERFIELD / FAIRFAX NZ The scene at Kekerengu, where three trucks crashed in quick time.

A condition update was not yet available.

Constable Paul Webber, of Blenheim, said the second truck had stopped in the southbound lane which was why it was struck by the third vehicle.

He believed driver fatigue was the cause of the initial accident.



"This is a timely reminder to take plenty of breaks and know your limits," he said.



Two of the trucks involved were brand new and were being delivered to their owners, he said.

EMMA DANGERFIELD / FAIRFAX NZ The first casualty of a three-truck accident north of Kekerengu.

Both lanes were open but would be closed at some point so the trucks could be removed from the road.

Motorists would be advised in advance of the time of the closure.

The commercial vehicle investigation unit from Blenheim was headed to the scene of the crash.