Four dead and another fighting for their life after four horror road crashes

This year's road toll so far is nearly on a par with the same period in 2017.

One person has died and another is fighting for their life following a horrific head-on crash in West Auckland on Wednesday afternoon.

It was the fourth death in as many crashes on New Zealand roads yesterday.

The two-car, head-on crash occurred near Waimauku, north of McPike Rd, about 5.15pm, forcing the closure of State Highway 16 between the Waimauku roundabout and Kiwitahi Rd.

Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust said it flew a 20-year-old woman with multiple injuries to hospital to Auckland City Hospital. Photo / Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust

Photos from the scene show the mangled wreck of a car that appears to have taken the full force of the collision. Emergency workers attended to the injured.

A police spokesperson said three people were flown to Auckland Hospital after the crash.

Two were in a critical condition and the third in a moderate condition. One of those in a critical condition had since died, the spokesperson said.

Westpac Rescue Auckland crew assisting multiple patients involved in a head on collision in Waimauku. Photo / Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust

Westpac Rescue Auckland crew assisting multiple patients involved in a head on collision in Waimauku. Photo / Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust

Earlier on Wednesday evening, the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust said it flew a 20-year-old woman with multiple injuries to Auckland City Hospital.

SH16 WAIMAUKU - ROAD CLOSED - 5.45PM
Due to a serious crash #SH16 is CLOSED between Kiwitahi Road and Waimauku Station Road. Detours are being set up, please consider using an alternative route as the road may be closed for sometime. ^MF pic.twitter.com/lW9SZN73PI

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) August 29, 2018

On Wednesday morning one person died following a serious crash near Wellington's Terrace Tunnel during the morning commute.

The crash closed the tunnel, stopping traffic heading in both directions and did not re-open until just before 12.30pm.

Meanwhile, a serious crash near Pūkaki, South Canterbury, resulted in the death of one person and two more were seriously hurt.

A police spokesperson confirmed one victim had died in the three-car crash just after 3pm on Wednesday.

The crash took place at the intersection with Mount Cook Rd and Tekapo-Twizel Rd near Pūkaki.

Police said two others were seriously injured and a third person had moderate injuries. Fire and police crews also attended the crash.

State Highway 8 was closed for a period at Lake Pūkaki.

SH8 PUKAKI - CANTURBURY - CRASH - 3:45PM - WEDS - 29AUG
The road is CLOSED at the intersection of Aoraki Mount Cook Highway. Road users are advised to plan your journey accordingly.^SMhttps://t.co/dxONXBftJM pic.twitter.com/YezGZIEGBJ

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Canterbury & West Coast (@WakaKotahiCWC) August 29, 2018

And another person died after a single-vehicle crash on the East Coast.

Police say the crash happened shortly before 1pm on SH35 south of Tologa Bay.

The scene of a serious crash on State Highway 35, south of Tolaga Bay, Gisborne. Photo / Facebook - Cuzn Deneese

A second person in the vehicle was taken to hospital for injuries not thought to be serious.