Two people are dead following a crash between a van and a ute in Canterbury this afternoon.
Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
A police spokesperson said the crash happened shortly after 1pm at the Breadings Road and State Highway 1 intersection, in Bankside north of the Rakaia River.
The highway is closed, and diversions are in place.
The police are asking motorists to avoid the area as the serious crash unit remains at the scene.