Wanganui Police are now in a position to release the names of the two drivers killed in a crash in the early hours of this morning on State Highway 3 in Kaitoki, near Wanganui.

The female driver of the north bound vehicle was Emily Hurley, aged 20 years of Wanganui. Police can confirm earlier reports she was pregnant.

The male driver of the south bound vehicle was Albert Noel Burns, aged 47 years of Wanganui.

Any crash where people are seriously injured or killed is a tragedy and, as with all serious and fatal crashes, they require comprehensive investigations.

Police say it is 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.