A person has died after a car crashed into a tree in central Christchurch early this morning.

Emergency services were called to the crash near the intersection of Montreal and Armagh Streets about 3.20am.

Senior Sergeant Craig Ellison said the driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was found dead at the scene.

The road was closed while the Serious Crash Unit examined the scene.

It reopened shortly after 7am.

Police enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.