The death of a man who at first seemed to have suffered only moderate injuries in a Mid North crash during the long weekend has pushed Northland's road toll so far this year to three.
Emergency services were called to Ohaeawai about 3.30pm on Monday when a car carrying a holidaying couple from England crossed the centre line of State Highway 1, dropped down a steep bank and came to rest on an old stone wall at Paheke historic homestead.
With volunteer firefighters from Kaikohe, the nearest brigade, occupied with a potentially serious roadside fire on Ngapipito Rd, the first crew to arrive was from Okaihau.
Kaikohe fire chief Bill Hutchinson said the female driver was already out of the vehicle but the male passenger, although not trapped, was unable to get out.
Firefighters removed the door so St John medics could get him into an ambulance. His injuries were described as moderate at the time.