Man dies after car smashes into tree

Photo / File

One person is dead after a car crashed into a tree in eastern Rotorua this morning.

Police said the crash on Iri Irikapua Parade in Owhata was believed to have happened in the early hours of the morning.

A male was found dead in the car and firefighters had to extract him from the vehicle.

Police investigators were working to establish if anyone else had been in the car at the time of the crash, but left before police arrived.

The police serious crash unit was examining the scene.

Police said a member of the public found the crashed vehicle about 7am.

One local resident reported hearing a loud bang sometime between midnight and 2am.

Police were still working to establish when the crash occurred.Early indications were that the car failed to negotiate a bend before hitting the tree.

The identity of the man was yet to be confirmed, police said.

Police would like to hear from anyone who heard or saw anything that may be relevant to the crash investigation.