It is understood Emily Hurley, 20, was the driver of a car carrying three others, including her partner, when it collided head-on with another car.

Shocked friends and family are paying tribute to a young pregnant mum who lost her life in an early morning crash.

It is understood Emily Hurley, 20, was the driver of a car carrying three others, including her partner, when it collided head-on with another car.

The driver of the other vehicle, Albert Noel Burns, 47, also died on the scene.

One friend wrote: "A beautiful young lady and mother. May you rest in peace. You will be sadly missed. Love to the family."

Another said she was a "beautiful and great young mother ... Tragic ending to her life. May you rest in peace. Love and thoughts go out to her family. She was so beautiful."

Emergency services were called to the scene on State Highway 3 near Kaitoke, between Pauri Rd and Marangai Rd, at 4.55am.

SH3 at Kaitoke was closed for some hours during investigations by the police serious crash unit. The road reopened around 10am.



Senior firefighter Charlie Bilby, of Whanganui, said the car and ute involved in the crash were on a bend.

The three injured people were severely trapped in one of the vehicles and hydraulic cutting equipment was used to get them out, he said.

Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter base manager Chris Moody said the aircraft had picked up a Whanganui man in his 20s from the scene.

He was taken to Palmerston North Hospital in a serious but stable condition with head and leg injuries.

"We didn't shut down at the scene, we just kept our rotors turning," Moody said.

"They had the patient ready to go minutes after we arrived. We were on the ground for possibly 10 minutes."

Police said it was too early to determine exactly what may have caused this crash and until that investigation is complete police will not be speculating on any aspect.

The deaths have now been referred to the coroner.