Four patients have been taken to hospital so far following two separate bus crashes on State Highway 8 near Pukaki this morning.

A spokesperson for St John said one passenger had been taken “to Dunedin Hospital via helicopter in a serious condition, one to Timaru Hospital via helicopter in a serious condition, and two have gone to Timaru Hospital in moderate and minor conditions via road”.

They said that St John responded with three helicopters, three first response units, one ambulance, one rapid response vehicle and one operations manager.

“Multiple patients have been assessed on scene, and we are still in the process of completing assessments,” the spokesperson said.

A police spokesperson said the separate, single-bus crashes happened about 100m apart on State Highway 8, around 8:40am.

“One person on one of the buses involved was understood to be in serious condition, and two others in moderate condition. There were minor injuries to some of those on the second bus,” police said.

“It’s understood those on board were international tourists, and the relevant consulate has been advised,” they said.

“Passengers on board the buses who have not required medical attention have been taken to Twizel.”

Police’s Commercial Vehicle Safety Team are in attendance, and a scene examination is being conducted.

“Weather conditions were foggy at the time, however the exact cause of the crashes is still being determined,” the police spokesperson said.

Before the crash, chrislynchmedia.com reported that a motorist was urging drivers to exercise extreme caution while travelling through Lake Tekapo.

He reported encountering black ice on the road, which created hazardous driving conditions.

The motorist, who was driving south, said the ice took him by surprise and has since notified emergency services.

At 8am, the temperature in the Lake Tekapo area was a frigid -3°C.