One person died at the scene, one was injured and two others were trapped in
the car.
The police dive squad retrieved the two bodies from the river last
night and this morning.
Diversions will be in place along the highway until it reopens at 6pm.
The names of the men involved in the crash will not be released until they
have all been formally identified.
One of the deceased was jailed for being part of an organised criminal group, after a shoot-out between Mongrel Mob and Black Power members in 2010.
It is understood police are investigating whether they were run off the road.
In a second fatal crash a 18-year-old man died on Saturday after losing control of his motorcycle on State Highway 5 - the Napier to Taupo Rd at 3.29pm.
Police say he was travelling towards Taupo with other motorcyclists.
Police are appealing for any witnesses who may have seen a motorcyclist crash
through a roadside barrier.
The man from Wellington was driving his red Yamaha XJ600 on SH5
when he crashed 2km east of the Te Haroto summit cafe.
There were no other vehicles involved in the crash.
The man died at the scene.
Mr Rowe said police were keen to speak to anyone who may have seen the
motorcyclist on the road prior to the crash or when he crashed.
There is no indication at this stage how the crash happened.
The man's name will not be released until family have been notified.
Anyone with information about the crash should contact Mr Rowe at Hastings
Police on 06 8310700.
