Emergency services work to free two people trapped after their car collided with a truck near Allanton early today. Photo Stephen Jaquiery
The crash occurred near Riverside Rd about 3am, police said.
Police said the female passenger died at the scene and the male driver, who suffered serious injuries after being trapped in the vehicle, died a short time later.
The highway was closed for a time and detours in place but it has now reopened, the NZ Transport Agency advises.
Meanwhile, a person is dead after their car collided with a truck on SH1 about 2k south of Makikihi in South Canterbury this morning.
Police say the driver died at the scene and the truck driver was treated for minor injuries. There were no passengers in either vehicle.
The highway has now reopened.
- additional reporting NZME
