Three bodies have been recovered after the crash in Marlborough

Police have recovered the bodies of three people who went missing after a crash in Marlborough last night.

The mayor of Marlborough described the accident in which a car plunged into a river north of Blenheim as heartbreaking.

A crane is now at the scene of a car accident in Tuamarina.

Police divers joined the search for the missing people after the car left the road at the intersection of State Highway 1 and Bush Road at 1.45am on Sunday and plunged into the Tuamarina River.

Two injured passengers were able to escape from the car, but three others remained missing.

The National Police Diving Squad was deployed around midday today and located the car submerged in the river.

“Tragically, all three remaining occupants were found dead in the car,” a police spokesman said.

State Highway 1 was closed for some time but is now open, although short closures may occur again later.

Nadine Taylor said her heart goes out to everyone involved.

“It is an absolutely tragic event for all the families and communities it affects. It will be a heartbreaking day for some families somewhere when they receive this news and it is life-changing news.”

The two refugees were taken to hospital with moderate injuries.

The investigation into the circumstances of the crash is ongoing.