Fatal crash in Whanganui: One dead after truck hits pedestrian in Westmere, two dead in earlier Christchurch collision

One person has died after a truck hit a pedestrian in Whanganui this morning.

Emergency services were called to the crash on State Highway 3, near Blueskin Rd in Westmere, about 10.15am today.

First responders found a person with critical injuries and gave them CPR.

“However, they were unable to be resuscitated,” a police spokesman said.

Police’s Serious Crash Unit has done a scene examination and inquiries into the circumstances of the crash were ongoing, he said.

Earlier today, police revealed two people had died after a crash overnight just north of Christchurch.

Emergency teams rushed to the crash on Butchers Rd, Clarkville, at about 12.10am today.

They found two people dead at the scene, while a third was taken to hospital with minor injuries, police said.

Butchers Rd is expected to remain closed between Moodys Rd and Christmas Rd for much of the day, while repairs to a power pole take place.

Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022.

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