A person died in a car crash in rural Waikato this afternoon.
The driver died after smashing into a van at Te Poi, between Matamata and Putaruru, about 2.30pm.
It was believed the driver lost control of the vehicle after running over police spike strips laid across theroad, following a chase through the Waikato backblocks.
Firefighters were called to cut the driver's body from the wreckage of the car.
A 15-year-old girl, who was riding in the front seat of the car, was flown to Waikato Hospital by Waikato air ambulance with a fractured femur.
The driver of the van, though not seriously injured, was also taken to Waikato Hospital for observation.
