Two Hong Kong tourists were killed and three others injured in a three-vehicle crash in the Selwyn district on Friday.
The crash was reported to emergency services at about 1.12pm near the intersection of North Rakaia Road and State Highway 1.
Two were pronounced dead at the scene.
The other three suffered injuries ranging from moderate to critical, a police spokeswoman said.
State Highway 1 was closed for about five hours as the Serious Crash Unit investigated, reopening at 6.55pm.
A detour involving an extra 100km of travel was put in place.
The Chinese consulate in Christchurch confirmed the fatalities on Saturday, citing a New Zealand Police report.
“The crash resulted in the deaths of two Hong Kong tourists, while other injured people were taken to hospital,” the South China Morning Post reported.
A St John spokesperson said a first response unit, an operations manager, two air ambulance helicopters and two ambulances were sent to the scene.