A cyclist is in a serious condition following a crash that brought traffic to a standstill on State Highway 6 in Central Otago.

Police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand and Hato Hone St John were called to the scene, between Queenstown and Cromwell, about midday today.

SH6 near Gibbston was briefly closed after a collision between a car and a cyclist today. Photo / Supplied

A Hato Hone St John spokesperson said they were notified of an incident on the intersection of SH6 and Coal Pit Rd, near Gibbston, at 12.26pm today.

One ambulance, one helicopter and one operations manager attended.

One patient in serious condition was being airlifted to Dunedin Hospital, the spokesperson said.

One patient was airlifted to Dunedin Hospital in a serious condition after the collision. Photo / Supplied

Police said the highway was briefly closed but was now back open.

A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said the service was alerted at 12.30pm and responded with two fire trucks and two support vehicles from Frankton and Arrowtown.

At the scene, they assisted in treating the patient and with traffic control.

Ben Tomsett is a multimedia journalist based in Dunedin. He joined the Herald in 2023.