Woman killed in fatal crash in Havelock North after vehicle falls down bank

Tauroa Rd in Havelock North was closed following a fatal crash. Photo/Warren Buckland

A female motorist was killed in a crash on a suburban Hawke's Bay road this morning.

Emergency services were called to the crash at 6.35am on Tauroa Road, Havelock North, where it was initially believed someone was trapped.

A police spokesman said the sole female occupant died at the scene, after the car went about 10 metres down a bank among tall trees.

The road, the only route to the base of Te Mata Peak, was closed for several hours, as was the Tauroa Rd Reserve to pedestrians.

Police had left the scene just after 1pm.

Vehicles and pedestrians were being allowed out of the cordoned area, while residents trying to enter their houses on the closed road were being turned away.

One local resident said the first she heard of the incident was when she saw police from outside her bedroom window.

Another woman, who lives on Hikanui Drive and walks her dog through Tauroa Rd every morning, said she "felt sick" upon hearing what had happened.

Yesterday's fatality, along with a crash near Timaru takes the road toll to 171 on New Zealand roads so far this year.

At the same time last year, the number was 165 and that had increased steadily since 137 in 2014.

In Hawke's Bay, including Napier and Hastings and Central Hawke's Bay districts, five people have died so far this year on the roads. That includes two drivers, two motorcycle riders and one cyclist.

A spokesperson for St John said they were unable to comment.