Witness heard speeding car before deadly Christchurch crash

A witness to a fatal crash in central Christchurch on Friday night has described hearing speeding vehicles before the vehicle smashed into a lightpole, killing a passenger.

Evan O'Connell said he heard loud exhaust noises from a vehicle about 10.20pm, near from the intersection of Memorial Avenue and Kendal Ave.

"We could hear this particular car doing everything to get its speed up. We heard the tyres skidding, then a loud bang, then nothing and a whole lot of crunching."

Mr O'Connell rushed from his home and was first on the scene.

The stationwagon had knocked down a light pole in the middle of a traffic island, and crashed into a ute on the opposite side of the road, he said.

The vehicle was on its roof and Mr O'Connell said three people including a driver were still seatbelted in, while a front seat passenger was not belted, but remained in the car.

Three were unconscious while a rear passenger was deceased.

A fifth person, a man, was lying at the side of the road.

Mr O'Connell said there was a smell of alcohol in the car, although that did not necessarily indicate the driver had been drinking.

The man lying on the road was initially confused and told the rescuers he hadn't been in the car.

Police confirmed one person was found deceased at the scene and five other people from the two vehicles were taken to Christchurch Hospital, two of them with serious injuries.

The sole occupant of the second vehicle was discharged from hospital yesterday.

Christchurch Hospital said two people remained in a critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit today.

Police said based on early indications from the scene examination, speed may have played a role in the crash.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or saw a silver Hyundai station wagon driving along Memorial Ave last night around 10pm on Friday night, was to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The death has been referred to the Coroner and the Serious Crash Unit is investigating.