Two men killed this afternoon in a collision near Pelorus Bridge in Marlborough were tourists, police say.

The crash between a vehicle and a ute happened shortly after 1pm on the Nelson side of Pelorus Bridge.

One of the dead men was the driver of the vehicle while the other was a rear passenger, police said.

A female front seat passenger and the local female driver of the ute have both been taken to Wairau Hospital with serious injuries.

Senior Sergeant Peter Payne of Marlborough, said it appeared one of the vehicles had crossed the centre line.

He said conditions at the time were "atrocious", with torrential rain and low cloud.

Police are now working to identify the deceased, who were foreign nationals.

The accident initially closed the highway, cutting travel between Nelson and Marlborough.

One lane of the road has since reopened. Motorists should expect delays.

- © Fairfax NZ News