Collision leaves one dead in the Bay of Plenty

One person is dead after a collision on State Highway 2 in Whakamarama in the Bay of Plenty. Photo / Daniel Hines

A man driving a hired car south towards Tauranga has died in a crash near Te Puna, Western Bay highway patrol Sergeant Nigel Ramsden says.

Two cars had a head-on crash about 2.15pm on SH2 near Gill Lane.

An elderly couple travelling north and involved in the crash had to be cut from their car and have both been taken to Tauranga Hospital.

A reporter at the scene said the roof and doors had been cut off their car in order to get them out.