A number of people have died after a single vehicle crash north of Timaru, police say.
The accident happened just before 7:30pm at the intersection of Seadown Road and Meadows Road at Washdyke.
Aoraki Area Commander Inspector Dave Gaskin said in a statement that a number of people died at the scene.
Another person was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Early indications are that speed was a factor in the crash, Inspector Gaskin said.
The road will be closed for some time while a scene examination is undertaken.
Detours are in place.
The Serious Crash Unit have been advised.
Police said earlier that two vehicles were involved but in their most recent statement said it was one.
Inspector Gaskin said police were unlikely to release any more information this evening.
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