Girl driver, 14, dies in crash

A 14-year-old girl driver is dead and three other girls are injured after their car rolled just south of Wairoa late last night.

She was named this morning as Maria Hayley Whatuira. The other girls were aged 16, 15 and 14. All four occupants were from Wairoa.

Sergeant Aubrey Ormond said Maria failed to negotiate a left hand corner and the Subaru Impreza crashed into a ditch and came to rest on its roof.

A Lowe Corporation rescue helicopter spokesperson said the three girls suffered moderate injuries after the accident about 11pm.

They were taken to Wairoa Hospital and one was transferred by helicopter to Hawke's Bay Regional Hospital with arm injuries.

- NZPA