Crash closes State Highway One

A fatal accident has closed State Highway One between Ashburton and Timaru until 7pm.

A car and a stock truck collided, with the car then bursting into flames. A passer-by was able to extinguish the flames soon after the accident.

Two people have died in the collision. They were travelling in the car.

The impact of the collison caused the truck to roll and up to 30 sheep had to be destroyed.

The truck driver was shaken but unharmed and is talking to police about the crash.

It is the second multiple fatality in the area in a week. On Friday three people died around 40km further south when two cars collided near Temuka.