Three die in weekend crashes

The scene of a double fatal accident near Blackball on the West Coast. Photo / Jules Anderson

Three people have died in car accidents over the weekend and another person is seriously injured in hospital.

Two people died and a third was injured after a car and milk tanker collided near Blackball, 25km northeast of Greymouth just after 8am on Saturday.

The road was wet at the time of the crash.

Their names have not yet been formally released. A police media spokesman was unable to confirm a newspaper report that a keg of beer was found in the wrecked car or that five young people had been inside.

Mandy Ward, 27, was also killed in Methven, 34km north-west of Ashburton, on Friday when she was hit by a car about 11.45pm. She was taken to Christchurch Hospital but died of her injuries.

It it not yet known if the driver will face charges.

- NZPA