Man killed after car rolls on Kaipara Coast highway

Debris at the fatal car crash scene on the Kaipara Coast Highway included alcohol cans and bottles. Photo / Michael Craig

A man is dead after his car rolled multiple times yesterday.

The man was understood to be in his mid-30s. Debris at the scene, on the Kaipara Coast Highway, included at least three different brands of alcohol cans and bottles but the role of alcohol in the crash was unconfirmed.

A woman at a nearby Kaukapakapa property heard the crash and immediately went outside to stop traffic.

"I heard the accident and the stones hit the roof of our house.

"I believe they were travelling far too fast and there was a lot of loose gravel on the side, where the roadworks hadn't cleared up properly. And he hit loose gravel and lost control."

The resident believed the man was heading east from Helensville.

"There was a lot of debris scattered from the car window across the road, shoes and stuff from inside the car."

Northern fire service communications spokeswoman Megan Ruru said fire engines were called at 3.07pm and remained at the scene to assist the police Serious Crash Unit.

Police closed a stretch of State Highway 16 near Kaukapakapa and long detours resulted. St John sent one ambulance to the crash at 3.01pm but the man had already died.

Another local resident said he understood the driver tried to correct himself, but lost control on gravel.

His vehicle came to rest against a power pole.

Meanwhile, another person died in a crash in Spencerville Road, Christchurch, about 5.30pm last night.