Police release name of fatal crash victim (+video)

Police have released the name of the woman who died in three-car crash south of Rotorua on Sunday.

She was Helen Knox, also known as Helen Veale, 49, of Otaki.

Two people remain in a serious condition in Waikato Hospital following the fatal crash on State Highway 5 - while a third has been transferred there from Rotorua Hospital.

The crash happened about 5km south of Rotorua near Tumunui about 4.45pm.

Another man, in his 20s, was discharged Sunday night and a third patient, a young man, remained in Rotorua Hospital in a stable condition.

A Waikato Hospital spokesperson said a man and woman were in the hospital's High Dependency Unit in serious conditions while the man transferred from Rotorua was in the Emergency Department and was still being assessed.

In a statement, Rotorua police said they would like to hear from witnesses to the crash, or anybody who saw the driving of the vehicles beforehand.

The vehicles involved were a bronze coloured Nissan Murano travelling north and two southbound cars - a white Nissan Pulsar and a dark blue Mazda Axela.

The investigation into what caused the crash is on going.

Anyone with information is asked to call Rotorua police on (07) 349 9400.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on (0800) 555 111.