Crashes claim five lives

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Two West Coast teens killed when their car collided with a milk tanker were both in the driver's seat, police say.

Troy Lindbom, 16, and Ivy Scrivener, 16, died in the crash near Blackball, 25km northeast of Greymouth, just after 8am on Saturday, The Press reported.

A third person was critically injured.

Greymouth Detective Sergeant Jackie Adams said the car appeared to have crossed the centre line into the path of the tanker.

Mr Lindbom and Ms Scrivener were both unlicensed and both sitting in the driver's seat, he said.

The road was wet at the time of the crash.

Mr Adams said a keg of beer was found in the wreckage and alcohol was thought to have been a factor.

The tanker driver was not injured, but was "very upset", he said.

Blackball Volunteer Fire Brigade chief fire officer Neville Sheehan told the newspaper one of the teens was dead when emergency services arrived and another was "nearly gone".

"The roof of the car was flattened; it looked like the tanker had gone over the top."

A third teen was cut from the car and flown to Grey Base Hospital before being transferred to Christchurch Hospital.

Meanwhile, two other people died in vehicle accidents over the weekend.

Mandy Ward, 27, was killed in Methven, 34km north-west of Ashburton, on Friday when she was hit by a car about 11.45pm.

She was taken to Christchurch Hospital but died of her injuries.

It it not yet known if the driver will face charges.

A Waipukurau man also died early on Saturday morning, after his motorbike appeared to have lost control on a corner between 2am and 5am, Waipukurau Senior Constable Damon Horrocks said.

The man, 50, was found dead beside his motorbike on Pourerere Road, Omakere, at 5am, and appeared to have been travelling at high speed after a night's drinking at a rural motorbike club, he said.

His name has not yet been released.

- NZPA