Fatigue factor in fatal Taranaki crash

File photo / Martin Sykes

Police say fatigue may have been a factor in a crash which claimed the life of a 72-year-old Wanganui woman in south Taranaki on Thursday.

Hawera Sergeant Shaun Keenan said the woman's son was driving a people mover near Normanby, near Hawera, about 11am on Thursday when it crossed the centre line and hit a hedge. The woman was not wearing a seatbelt and was thrown around in the vehicle.

She was taken to Hawera Hospital, along with her 51-year-old son from Porirua, and his two sons, aged three and four.

She was transferred to Taranaki Base Hospital but died later that night.

Mr Keenan said the accident was still being investigated but driver fatigue may have been a factor.

The children were restrained in child seats and while shaken, weren't hurt, he added.

- NZPA