Man killed, woman critical after car and tanker collide

One man is dead and a woman critically injured after a car collided head-on with a tanker near Waiouru in the central North Island today.

The crash happened at 1.45pm on State Highway 1, 12km south of Waiouru.

One of the car's two occupants died at the scene and the other was flown to Palmerston North Hospital by the Square Trust Rescue Helicopter with serious chest and back injuries.

"The truck basically ran over the car, ripped it in half, ran off the road and came to rest in amongst trees," Square Trust pilot Ross McGuigan said.

The careering truck came to a halt about 50m off the road. Its driver escaped with minor injuries.

The car was mostly destroyed by the force of impact, with debris strewn for 30m.

The car's occupants were from Palmerston North. No further details were available.

- NZPA