A 61-year-old Oamaru woman is confirmed as the person who died in a crash near the intersection of Pukaki Canal and Glen Lyon Rd in the Mackenzie District.  

Senior constable Les Andrew, of Twizel, said the woman, known as a regular visitor to the Twizel area, was believed to be travelling from Lake Poaka to Twizel via a gravel road between 3.30pm and 4pm on Friday.

"She has lost control not long after leaving the Pukaki Canal, the car has veered down an embankment and has rolled several times, the occupant was thrown from the vehicle and the vehicle landed on top of her," Andrew said. 

Police discovered the body on Saturday after a member of public spotted the vehicle and reported it as abandoned, he said.

"There could be a number of factors, we just don't know," he said.

Andrew said the Serious Crash Unit arrived on Saturday and is investigating.