Man killed in three-car crash in Te Puke was a local teen

One of the vehicles involved in a fatal collision near Te Puke this afternoon. Photo/Stuart Whitaker

The victim of a three-car crash near Te Puke yesterday was a local teen.

Police said the 18-year-old man - the driver of one of the vehicles - died at the scene.

The Te Puke resident had been trapped in the car and firefighters had to free him from the wreck when he died.

Two cars were involved in the crash. Acting Senior Sergeant Cam Anderson said a third vehicle then clipped one of the cars.

Te Puke station officer Keith Merritt said a woman also involved in the crash had been taken to Tauranga Hospital.

Traffic is being diverted from cordons set up around Te Puke Highway after a serious crash at Poplar Lane. Photo/John Borren

She was understood to be in a serious-stable condition.

Emergency services were called to the head-on collision, near Black Stump Berries, at 2.28pm.

Te Puke Highway, a busy arterial route between the township and Tauranga, was shut down to all traffic at multiple cordons. Police opened it again at 5.02pm.

Diversions were put in place at the intersections of the Te Puke Highway and Domain Rd, and Te Puke Highway and Welcome Bay Rd.

Police have asked for anyone who witnessed the crash who had not yet spoken to officers to call Tauranga police on 07 577 4300.