File photo. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Emergency services are responding to a three-vehicle collision on State Highway 3 at Ashhurst, near Palmerston North.
Police were called at around 6.50am.
Initial reports indicated there were serious injuries, they said.
Stuff is reporting two people have died.
The road is closed between Te Maitai Road and Hillcrest Road.
Motorists were advised to avoid the area and expect delays and the Serious Crash Unit has been notified.