Three people have been taken to Christchurch Hospital after a serious two vehicle crash in Hurunui left a power pole damaged and one vehicle landed close to railway line.

Emergency services were called to the crash in Balcairn just after midday.

A police spokeswoman told ChrisLynchMedia.com the crash happened at the intersection of Stokes Road and Balcairn Amberley Road.

She said a power pole was damaged and one of the vehicles reportedly ended up near the railway line.

KiwiRail was advised of the incident.

A St John spokesperson told ChrisLynchMedia.com it was notified at 12.07pm of a motor vehicle crash on Duffs Road and Upper Sefton Road.

Three ambulances, a rapid response unit, an operations manager and a rescue helicopter responded.

Ambulance crews treated three patients before transporting all of them to Christchurch Hospital.

One patient in a serious condition was airlifted to hospital.

A second patient in a serious condition and a third patient in a moderate condition were taken to hospital by road ambulance.

Motorists were advised to expect delays around the crash scene while emergency services continued their work.