Two people have died following a crash between a car and a truck on State Highway 1, north of Timaru.

A police spokesman said emergency services were called to the crash about 5:10pm, near the intersection of Brosnan Road.

Two people died at the scene, while one person was airlifted to hospital in a serious condition.

The Serious Crash Unit is in attendance and enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

The road is expected to remain closed until later tonight.