Two dead after serious crash on SH1, investigation under way

A investigation is under way into a crash that killed two people in Canterbury last night.

Emergency services were called to the scene just south of the SH1/Wilkinsons Rd intersection in Chertsey, north of Ashburton, about 7pm on Thursday.

"Two people have died following the crash on SH1 near Wilkinsons Rd, Rakaia," a police spokesperson said.

A St John spokesman said two others were taken to Christchurch Hospital by ambulance.

One was seriously injured and the other moderately injured.

The road was closed and diversions were in place until early this morning while the Serious Crash Unit examined the scene, police said.

A police spokeswoman said enquiries into the cause are continuing but she was unable to provide more details.

A NZ Transport Agency spokesperson said the crash was cleared at 12:25am and the road is now fully open.