A man has died and several people were injured after a van carrying eight passengers crashed into a power pole in Southland.

The fatal, single vehicle crash, occurred in near the intersection of Wreys Bush-Mossburn Rd, about 4km from Mossburn at 6.50pm.

Senior Sergeant Dave Raynes, of Invercargill said two people with serious injuries had been flown by helicopter to Southland Hospital and four others with moderate injuries such as broken bones, were transported by ambulance to the hospital.

A St John spokesman confirmed there was one fatality and that two people had serious injuries. Three also had moderate to minor injuries. The man, who was also a passenger had died at the scene, he said.

Raynes said the fire service, two helicopters and four ambulances had responded.

Victim Support was at Southland Hospital with family members of the passengers, he said.

Police were still at the scene and the Wreys Bush-Mossburn Rd was still closed.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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