Photo: RNZ / Patrice Allen
A third person has died following a crash on State Highway 1 near Dunedin on Monday.
Police said John Banbury, 63, of Whakatāne died in hospital last night.
Kreshar Dannielle Fruean, 37, and Andrew Sheehan, 53, both of Te Kuiti, died at the scene.
Emergency services were called to the crash in Titri around 12.15pm.
Three others remain in hospital.
"An investigation into the crash remains ongoing and police are continuing to appeal for any witnesses of the crash," a statement said.
"Our thoughts are with their families [the deceased] at this difficult time."
Helicopters Otago chief executive Graeme Gale earlier told RNZ two helicopters were sent to the scene.
"There was multiple fire brigade staff there, multiple St John ambulances there as well. There was a lot of people on the scene, it was a very busy scene. It was pretty horrific.
"Everyone's just reeling in the aftermath of what happened."
The stretch of road has a history of crashes including one that claimed the life of a Dunedin man on Christmas Day in 2021.
Last July, a courier van driver was forced to evade an oncoming ute that was overtaking a logging truck in the same area, swerving, rolling and ending up on the other side of the road.
"I've actually flown to a number of incidents on that stretch of road," Gale said.
"It's just one of those pieces of road that appears to have quite a high accident rate."
Police asked anyone with information to call 105 or submit it [www.police.govt.nz/use-105 online], referencing file number 230828/5647.
