A three vehicle crash near a Rangiora railway line caused delays for motorists this morning.

Emergency services were called to the intersection of Lineside Road and Mulcocks Road about 6.40am.

A police spokeswoman told chrislynchmedia.com one vehicle was reported to be near or on the railway line, and railway services were notified.

“Around 7.40am the job says train lines were clear and we notified them so trains could resume,” she said.

A St John spokesman said an operations manager and an ambulance responded to the scene.

“Our ambulance staff treated one patient transported them to Christchurch Public Hospital in a moderate condition.”

There was debris across State Highway 71, and traffic control was advised.

KiwiRail General Manager of Operations Rail Rangi Rarere said “At the request of the emergency services, KiwiRail closed the Main North Line at 6.40am this morning following a crash on SH71.

“This was due to a vehicle involved in the crash entering the rail corridor.

“Police gave permission for the line to reopen at 8.20am, following inspections. One freight service travelling north to Picton was delayed by around thirty minutes as a result. The Coastal Pacific does not run over winter, and other services have now resumed.”