Car doing u-turn on SH1 hit by logging truck

Emergency service workers at the fatal crash scene near Waipu Golf course on SH1.

A car doing a u-turn on State Highway 1 was hit by a logging truck killing four people and leaving a child seriously injured.

The crash happened just before 1pm.

Police say initial indications are the car was making a u-turn when it hit the oncoming truck. Police are still at the scene investigating the crash and are in the process of identifying the deceased.

Northland Road Policing Manager Inspector Murray Hodson said it was a very tragic incident, which appeared to be caused by a momentary error of judgement.

"Our hearts go out to the families of the victims especially at this time of year when families are getting together to celebrate Christmas."

The crash is a reminder for all drivers to stay focused and concentrate on their driving.

"One mistake can lead to fatal consequences."

Mr Hodson said there were already reports of drivers speeding to get to their destinations after being delayed by the crash.

"Please slow down. We want you to get to your destination safely and police do not want to attend another crash like this one. We also don't want to tell other families that their loved ones have died on the road this Christmas."

A woman living about 500 metres south of the crash scene, Leanore Hanna, said the truck and trailer unit were still upright with a load of logs intact among trees beside State Highway 1 but the cab was sprawled on its side, jack-knifed across on lane of the road wheels facing the road.

She could see a car upside down about 20 metres south of the truck, also among trees and beside the coastal side of the highway.

"It's a dreadful mess - there's a lot of squashed metal all over the road," said Mrs Hanna, a health and safety consultant, who was away at Ruakaka when the crash happened, and joined nose to tail traffic on a diversion route to get back home..

A rescue helicopter had left the scene before 2pm, but returned about half an hour later, rejoining two ambulances and three fire trucks.

The crash scene was south of the Waipu Golf Club, about 100m from the end of a passing lane on a recently-resealed stretch of highway.

The crash happened about 1km away from the Uretiti Beach Camping Ground, manager David Archer said.

He said the crash was "horrific" and had left visitors to the camp ground wondering what had happened.

"The road is closed, there has been no traffic for about two hours going past... There is a truck up there that looks like it has been damaged."

Mr Archer said he was not sure whether the passengers of the vehicle were heading to the campsite.

"I have no idea whether they were heading here or just passing by, it is the main road so there is a huge amount of traffic passing backwards and forwards to Whangarei."