Two dead in crashes this morning

Two people are dead after a series of accidents early this morning - including one where a car ended up in a river near Masterton.

One person died when the car drove off Paierau Road and ploughed into the Waipoua River at around four this morning.

The other three occupants managed to clamber out onto the roof of the car where the clung for some time before being winched to safety.

The accident had sparked a huge rescue operation with helicopters, local police and firefighters all sent to the scene.

The trio have since been airlifted to hospital for treatment.

Another person is believed to have died in the Bay of Plenty when a car rolled on State Highway 2, near Pukehina shortly before eight this morning.

Firefighters were called to help extract the other two occupants who were trapped in the car. In Canterbury a man had a run in with a fence and had to be freed from the wreckage at around 7:30 this morning.

He'd crashed his vehicle into a barrier near the intersection of Beethams Road and Volckman road and was trapped for a period of time.

However, a police spokeswoman said his injuries weren't too serious.

No other cars or people are believed to have been involved.