Crashes in Christchurch and Marlborough killed three people within an hour today.
Two people are dead after a crash at Pelorus Bridge in Marlborough.
The crash, which happened about 1pm on the Nelson side of the bridge, involved two vehicles, one a ute carrying a motorcycle.
Two other people are believed to have been injured in the crash.
Police said emeregency services are at the scene, and State Highway 6 between Blenheim and Nelson has been closed.
Road blocks are in place are Hira, north of Nelson, and at Caversham.
About 40 minutes earlier, a 70-year-old man was killed when his car crashed into a vacant red-zoned house north of Christchurch.
Police said the car left the road and hit the house on Sewell St in in Kaiapoi about 12.20pm.
The man, who was the sole occupant of the car, died at the scene.
No other vehicles were involved.
The red-zoned house, which was unoccupied, suffered some damage.
Police said a medical incident may have caused the crash but that would be for the coroner to determine.
The man's name will be released this afternoon.