Police say four young men died in a horror crash in Invercargill on Friday, three of them were teenagers from Bluff.
Southern Area Commander Mike Bowman told media on Saturday it was a tragedy and would have a huge impact on the boys' families and communities.
He said three victims were 16 and one 17 and they died after the Ford Ranger they were driving hit a truck, the truck driver had minor injuries.
Bowman said families of the deceased had visited the scene of the crash to help with the grieving process.
He said the crash scene had been "horrific" and a real challenge for the emergency services.
"This is a tragic outcome, and our thoughts are with their families, their friends and their communities," Bowman said.
"The formal identification process is ongoing and we're not able to provide any further information about those who died.
"The road in the vicinity of the crash has remained closed to allow a further examination of the scene today.
"We would like to thank the public for their patience while this closure remains in place."
Detective Inspector Stuart Harvey told Newshub on Friday the crash occurred near Queens Park.
"Emergency services were called to the two-vehicle crash, involving a heavy motor vehicle and a motor vehicle, on Queens Drive just before 4pm," he said.
"Sadly, multiple people died at the scene."
Police did not provide any further detail on how many fatalities there were.
Bluff Community Board chair Raymond Fife told Newshub he believed three youths from Bluff died.
He said three Bluff familes had lost sons and they were all devastated.
"The community will rally around those people and give them as much support as possible, because Bluff is a small town."
The NZ Herald says family members have paid tribute to one victim on Facebook, with his brother posting: "fly high little bro, I love you so much".
His mother wrote "rest in love baby boy".
The Herald also reported an earlier live video posted to social media showed people rushing to help in the aftermath of the fatal crash.
An off duty nurse and surgeon assisted the ambulance services NZ Herald reported.
Other motorists used crowbars to try and free the victims.
Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt told RNZ it was heartbreaking.
"It's just so devastating to hear. It's a small, tight-knit community and there's going to be a lot of suffering and sense of terrible loss.
"There's been several crashes or near-misses because of the road conditions and other issues that'll come out," he told RNZ.
Police continue to appeal for any witnesses to the crash to make contact.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police on 105, quoting event number 220422/7161.
