Two dead, one seriously injured in crash

Two passengers died after they were thrown from a car when it hit the motorway barrier on State Highway 1 near Wellington tonight.

The accident happened about 10pm in the southbound lane on SH1 near the Aotea Quay off-ramp, police central communications shift manager Marc Clausen said.

He said one of the passengers was thrown onto the motorway and the other into the railway area near the ferry terminal, below the motorway.

The driver was taken to Wellington Hospital in a serious condition.

The southbound lane of SH1 between Ngauranga Gorge and Wellington was closed and expected to remain so until 3am. A detour was in place via Old Hutt Rd.

Police serious crash officers were investigating.

- NZPA