Three people have died and another two are seriously injured following a crash in South Canterbury this afternoon.
Emergency services were called to the collision at the intersection of State Highway 79 and Kennedy Road about 3.15pm.
The vehicles ¨C a four-wheel-drive and a people-mover ¨C were travelling in opposite directions when the crash occurred, Aoraki Area Commander Inspector Vicki Walker says.
¡°The vehicles have collided and the investigation will focus on exactly how that occurred.¡±
Three of the deceased were travelling in the people-mover, Inspector Walker said. Another person travelling with them was critically injured. The driver from the four-wheel-drive, the sole occupant of that vehicle, was seriously injured.
Both of the surviving crash victims have been airlifted to Christchurch Hospital.
¡°Losing so many lives at once is shocking and our hearts go out to those involved,¡± Inspector Walker said.
The deceased were part of a group visiting the district, and members of that group were following behind the vehicle at the time of the crash.
¡°We¡¯re wrapping support around them and will be speaking with them to help establish what occurred.
¡°Incidents like this are hard on everyone involved, and our communities too.
¡°While the investigation is progressing, we¡¯re making sure there is support in place for those involved, their families, and our staff who have attended the scene.
¡°We would like to thank all the first responders and agencies like Victim Support who are assisting those affected by today¡¯s events.¡±
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre