Two people have died following a serious crash in Waiotahe earlier today.

The two-vehicle crash occurred at the intersection of State Highway 2 and Ohiwa Beach Road around 2.30pm.

A further two people were injured in the crash, which involved a van and a ute, says a police spokesperson.

The intersection of State Highway 2 and Ohiwa Beach Road remains closed and detours are in place, they say.

Northbound traffic is being diverted down Waitotahe Valley Road and southbound traffic is being diverted down Paerata Ridge Road.