Emergency services, including the Kaitaia Fire Brigade, were called at 9.40pm, Chief Fire Officer Craig Rogers saying the firefighters helped St John medics tend to the injured and set up lighting to guide the helicopter crew. An Ahipara Fire Brigade crew remained at the scene for some time to provide lighting for the police serious crash investigator.
Debbie Cameron, owner of the Ninety Mile Beach Holiday Park, said she was at home with her family when she saw ambulances go past.
Her husband and 15-year-old daughter went to see what had happened, and encountered a horrible scene.
"They said there were bodies lying everywhere," she told the Herald on Sunday.
NgaiTakoto has imposed a rahui on 10km of the beach, extending 5km north and south of Waipapakauri Ramp, which prohibits fishing and the taking of shellfish.
The rahui will remain in place until Sunday.
The crash took Northland's road toll for this year to two. It was the first fatality in the Far North.