Police name man who died in crash near Tauranga

Police say one man was killed in a two-car crash near the intersection of State Highway 29 and Omanawa Rd. Photo/John Borren

The man who died in a two-car crash on State Highway 29 on Saturday night near Tauranga was Adrian Carlisle Hetet.

The 43-year-old was from Tauranga.

The Serious Crash Unit is continuing to investigate to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash, in which two other people were injured.

The police said it could confirm, however, that there were no road surface defects or potholes that may have contributed to this crash.

"Police's thoughts are with the family and friends of Mr Hetet during this difficult time."

The crash, which happened about 11pm on Saturday on State Highway 29 near the intersection with Omanawa Rd, blocked the highway between McLaren Falls Rd and Omanawa Rd for about five hours.

Police, fire and ambulance attended the scene and traffic was diverted via State Highway 5 and State Highway 36.

A St John Ambulance spokesman said two people were taken to Tauranga Hospital with moderate injuries suffered in the crash.

He said St John Ambulance were alerted to the crash about 11pm with all ambulance staff leaving the crash site by 1am on Sunday.