Police say "multiple people" are dead after a crash in Invercargill this afternoon.

Emergency services were called to the two-vehicle crash, involving a heavy motor vehicle and a motor vehicle, on Queens Drive just before 4pm.

"Sadly, multiple people died at the scene," police said in a statement.

The road will be closed between St Andrew Street and King Street overnight.

An Otago Daily Times reporter at the scene said many police cars, St John vehicles and Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) appliances attended. Tents had been erected and cordons

were in place.

A Fenz spokesman said they had responded to crash between a vehicle and a truck. There were people trapped when they arrived and the roof of the vehicle was cut off.

A St John spokeswoman said two ambulances and two management personnel attended.

They assessed one person, who did not need transportation to hospital. When asked about the condition of other vehicle occupants, she referred comment to police.

Police would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the crash. Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 105 quoting event number P050332364.

Information can also be passed on anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

- RNZ w/Otago Daily Times