Update: SH1 crash fatal

Sunday's two-vehicle crash on SH1 near Redwood Pass proved fatal, with police confirming two lives lost, and the road remained closed.

In an update at 2pm, police said: "Despite best efforts by emergency services, two people died at the scene."

As the Serious Crash Unit continued investigating the crash, police advised that SH1 "will be closed for some time" and motorists should "expect delays or avoid travel to the area."

Emergency services first responded to the crash in Marlborough around 10:40am. The initial announcement from police indicated "serious injuries" but did not specify the number or severity. People on scene indicated at least one fatality among five injured.