Police have named the man who died in a serious crash on Rakaia Highway north of Ashburton.

He was 28 year old Ashburton man Bradley Larter.

Police said their thoughts were with Larter’s loved ones.

The two vehicle crash happened on State Highway 1 just north of Ashburton shortly after 5am on Monday.

Bradley died at the scene and two other people were seriously injured.

St John sent two ambulances, a rapid response unit and a rescue helicopter to the scene.

The two seriously injured patients were taken to Christchurch Hospital, one by ambulance and the other by helicopter.

The crash forced the closure of Rakaia Highway while emergency services worked at the scene.

Police have not released further information about what caused the crash and enquiries are ongoing.