Police said the two-car crash happened just after 10am.
Police said three people were killed in the crash and fourth suffered critical injuries.
Five members of the same family have also been confirmed dead in another crash after a car slammed into a gum tree south of Kinleith at 7.40am this morning.
And now a ninth person has died after their car crashed into water near Auckland Airport early this morning. The vehicle left the road and crashed into water near the intersection of Tom Pearce Dr and Puhinui Rd at about 1.15am today.
The Ashburton crash was at the intersection of Mitcham Rd and Hepburns Rd.
A St John spokesman said the patient with critical injuries was being taken to Christchurch Hospital by helicopter.
A person with minor injuries would likely be taken to Ashburton Hospital.
The police media centre said it could not confirm a report on Stuff saying two children and an adult had died in the crash.
Stuff also reported that initial reports suggested they were all travelling in the same car.
The roads around the crash site are closed while emergency services work at the scene – motorists are asked to avoid the area and take alternative routes where possible.
And now a ninth person has died after their car crashed into water near Auckland Airport early this morning. The vehicle left the road and crashed into water near the intersection of Tom Pearce Dr and Puhinui Rd at about 1.15am today.
