A person is dead after a crash in the Waioeka Gorge, 50km south of Opotiki, last night.

A Whakatane police spokesman said the crash happened on State Highway 2 about 7pm when a northbound vehicle went out of control on a moderate bend and crossed the centre line where it was hit by a southbound vehicle.

The passenger in the northbound vehicle died at the scene, while the driver suffered serious injuries and was taken to Gisborne Hospital.

The four people in the other vehicle received minor injuries.

- NZPA