Recent Canterbury car crashes have bumped up this year’s road toll ahead of last year’s by the same date.
As of Tuesday morning, the national road toll was 251, compared to 247 by the same time last year.
Two people were killed after a white truck heading south and silver station-wagon heading north collided north of Timaru, near Brosnan Rd, on Thursday, about 5.10pm, last week.
There was a separate crash before the fatal crash, involving other vehicles, about 500m north of the scene on State Highway 1 which caused traffic to backup.
Police have thanked people who came forward with information after they made an appeal for witnesses.
‘‘The information gathered will form part of the investigation,’’ a police spokesperson said.
Anyone with further information who saw what happened in either crash, or if they have any information which may help, is asked to get in touch with police via 105, referencing file number 251120/2692.
The crash followed another fatal crash the day prior, at Sheffield.
The two-vehicle crash happened on State Highway 73, at the intersection with Deans Rd, around 2.50pm.
Police charged a 32-year-old Swiss national with careless driving causing death.
Meanwhile, a crash at Rakaia on Sunday about 7.30am involved two vehicles on the highway.
A van load of people heading south collided with a car.
Rakaia Volunteer Fire Brigade chief Tyrone Burrowes said the crash initially blocked one lane. Firefighters removed vehicles off the road, kept both lanes open, and cleared debris from the road.
A Hato Hone St John spokesperson said three patients were assessed at the scene, one transported to Christchurch Hospital in a moderate condition.
The two others were in a minor condition and treated at the scene.
