Man killed in Christmas Day crash named

A man who died in a car crash in the early hours of this morning has been named by police.

The death of Sandy Paul Waenga Brown, 21, from Paua, takes the holiday road toll to one after the Far North crash at around 2.30am.

Two women were injured in the smash, which took place on State Highway 1 near Paua Station at Te Kao, and have been taken to hospital.

The 21-year-old driver was airlifted to Whangarei Hospital by helicopter with serious injuries, while a 33-year-old passenger was transferred to Kaitaia Hospital with minor injuries.

The trio were travelling north on SH1 when the driver lost control around a moderate bend, going into a slide and hitting a bank, police said. The Toyota Hilux rolled, throwing the front seat passenger from the vehicle.

Ambulance officers attended the scene but were unable to revive Mr Brown.

The official holiday road toll period started at 4pm yesterday and will finish at 6am on January 3.