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A man was killed and four others injured, one critically, when a car hit a power pole in Northland last night.
Police said the crash occurred on Pouto Rd, Te Kopuru, near Dargaville, about 11.30pm.
A male passenger died at the scene.
Firefighters had to wait for lines company North Power to turn the electricity off before they could free the man's body from the wreckage.
Power was out to surrounding properties for several hours following the crash.
Senior Sergeant John Fagan, of Whangarei police, said a man was airlifted to Whangarei Base Hospital, and another taken there by ambulance.
Two others were taken by ambulance to nearby Dargaville Hospital.
It was unknown if alcohol was involved but blood samples had been taken from all vehicle's occupants, who were yet to be interviewed by police.
Mr Fagan did not know the ages of all the occupants, but said two of them were 21 and 17.
The police serious crash unit is investigating.
'Early indications are the crash was intentional.'