Police are urging people to think of their loved ones after an "absolute nightmare" saw eight people killed on New Zealand roads over Labour Weekend.
It comes after a motorcyclist died in a crash involving a truck on the Rakaia River Bridge, in Canterbury, shortly before 10am on Monday.
Also in Canterbury, a pedestrian is fighting for their life after being hit by a truck on State Highway 1 in Kaiapoi, north of Christchurch. There was also a two-car crash at Templeton, on the western outskirts of Christchurch.
Police say two people were seriously injured.
Emergency services helped those involved in a crash at Templeton, near Christchurch. (Source: Other)
"We really hoped that it was never going to be as high as it is. Obviously, one death on our roads is too many and to have eight so far with 12 hours to go is an absolute nightmare," Superintendent Steve Greally told 1News.
"You just gotta really think about the families of those people who have died - and the friends - who will be wearing this for the rest of their lives - it's horrific."
Greally also urged people to "spare a thought" for the first responders who have had to attend the horror scenes this weekend.
"A lot of these crashes are unnecessary and preventable - it just comes down to people making bad decisions, thinking about their own circumstances and not thinking about anybody else and we've seen what happens."
He said some of the factors in the crashes included speeding; driving while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or fatigue; getting distracted by their cell phone; and not wearing their seatbelt.
"Some people, unfortunately, still do not wear their seatbelt, and so that's when people who could have walked away from a crash - they die."
The holiday period officially ends at 6am on Tuesday.
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