Two people are believed dead after a car and a bus collided on a popular South Island tourist route yesterday.
The crash happened near Te Anau Downs on State Highway 94, at 2.55pm.
Southern Area Commander Inspector Joel Lamb this morning said witnesses had told police there were two people in the car.
"Police are working to identify all individuals in the vehicle but can confirm there were no survivors from that vehicle.''
Owing to the damage to the car, it would take police some time to identify the occupants.
Everyone from the bus got out safely, though several needed first aid at the scene and later at a medical centre, Insp Lamb said.
The scene was cleared late last night.
"This is a horrific incident that has impacted a large amount of people and that of the Te Anau and Milford communities," Insp Lamb said.
Photos from the scene show the car was overturned and crushed by the bus. The bus door was wedged shut and the 16 passengers, all believed to be from Korea, were helped out of a window.
Later photos show plumes of thick black smoke, and the bus and car engulfed in flames.
Invercargill's Jakob Frazer (17) arrived with a colleague moments after the crash happened.
He said he saw an arm coming out of the passenger door, and a man was screaming for help.
Explorer Tourlines owner Stephen Cook confirmed one of his buses was involved in the crash and said the bus was returning to Queenstown from Milford Sound when the crash happened.
The driver had been with the company for four years. Cook was unable to comment on what caused the crash.
"The matter is in the hands of police now. As it develops we will know what happens, but we don't actually know what happened.
"I'm sorry we just don't have any information - it's a very recent occurrence."
Police were working with Victim Support and wider groups to provide assistance and support for those involved in the crash.
They thanked everyone who stopped to help and urged anyone involved to contact the Southern District Command Centre on (03) 471-5002.
