Two killed in overnight Auckland, Canterbury crashes

<p>Two people have died, and another has been seriously injured after three separate single-vehicle crashes in Auckland, South Canterbury and Dunedin overnight.</p> <p>Police said the first crash was reported just before 9pm on Saturday, near the East Tāmaki off-ramp on Auckland's Southern Motorway. </p> <p>The sole occupant of the vehicle died at the scene, police said.</p> <p>The Southern Motorway had been closed southbound but has since reopened. </p> <p>Police said inquiries into the circumstances were ongoing.</p> <p>Minutes later, just after 9pm, emergency services in South Canterbury were called to a crash on the Geraldine-Fairlie Highway at Pleasant Valley.</p> <p>The crash occurred at the intersection with Slacks Valley Rd.</p> <p>One of the two occupants died at the scene, police said, and the second was taken to hospital with moderate injuries. </p> <p>The serious crash unit attended, and inquiries were continuing.</p> <h2>Dunedin road closed for hours</h2> <p>The third crash, on Caversham Valley Rd at Calton Hill in Dunedin, was reported just after 1.10am, near Mornington Rd.</p> <p>One person sustained serious injuries.</p> <p>Police said the road had been closed northbound with detours in place, and was expected to remain closed for several hours this morning. </p> <p>Motorists were advised to avoid the area if possible.</p>