'Black ice': Four in hospital after Southland bus crash

A bus has crashed on the Athol Five Rivers Highway on SH6 in Southland, with four people taken to hospital, amid reports of black ice in the area.

Emergency services were called to the crash on State Highway 6 at 8.30am. The southbound lane of the road is closed near Lowther, a police spokesperson said.

Police and fire crews are attending, and "there is reportedly black ice in the area".

A St John spokesperson said four people were taken to Invercargill Hospital with injuries — one in serious condition, two in moderate condition, and one in minor condition.

Eight other people were "assessed at the scene" in a minor condition.

St John said it deployed three ambulances to the scene.

A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said crews from Mossburn, Lumsden, Garston and Athol were at the scene earlier. They added that nobody was stuck inside the bus.

Police have asked drivers to avoid the area and take alternative routes where possible.

It also urges motorists to drive to the conditions and "consider black ice during cold times of the day".