There are new calls to reduce the speed limit on a stretch of road in Canterbury after a triple fatality.
Yesterday, a four-wheel-drive and a people-mover had been travelling in opposite directions when they collided on State Highway 79, south of Geraldine.
The three people who were killed were in the people-mover and are understood to be part of a group visiting the district who were travelling in convoy.
Both the drivers survived and were flown to Christchurch Hospital.
Timaru District Mayor Nigel Bowen said the triple-fatal crash was "really tough for Geraldine" and his heart went out to all those involved.
"In my view, and I travel that piece of road quite regularly, it's the most dangerous piece of road, state highway in our district.
"The speed limit in our view is too high. We requested in August last year that it go from 100 down to 70 to 80 and also the road seal is consistently bad and we've requested major improvements there as well.
"So we're at the whims of the NZTA to do this piece of work. They all know that it is a major concern but this needs to be fixed. Speed reduction should happen tomorrow," Bowen said.
The short stretch between Kennedy St and Tiplady Rd, where the latest accident happened, has had seven crashes in just over four years. There have been numerous other incidents on the highway, including last week when a person was killed in a two-vehicle crash north of Geraldine.
A New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) spokesperson said staff and contractors are saddened by yesterday's fatal crash and their thoughts are with everyone affected, their families and friends.
"As with all serious crashes on the state highway network, we will carry out a thorough investigation including a review of the road and the roadside at the crash location.
"NZTA is planning to mill out an area of delaminated/rutted highway surface on parts of this road, stabilise the existing material and resurface again this summer when weather warms up.
3 people dead, 2 seriously injured after two-vehicle crash near Geraldine
Emergency services were called to the scene at around 3.15pm.
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"While the highway seal isn't ideal in either of the lanes, the southbound lane which catches more stresses from vehicles on the outside of the curve needs maintenance earlier than the northbound lane," the NZTA spokesperson said.
The issue of speed won't be addressed straight away, as the NZTA said it would wait until new Government rules are introduced later this year.
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