Road toll: Person dies following serious Northland crash, seven people killed on NZ roads in five days

A person has died following a serious crash in Northland this afternoon, bringing the number of deaths on New Zealand roads in the last five days to seven.

Emergency services responded to the two-vehicle crash that blocked State Highway 10 at Waipapa about 4.10pm.

In an update at 8.30pm, police confirmed one of the occupants of the vehicles died at the scene. One other person with serious injuries was airlifted to hospital and four were treated for minor injuries.

“SH10 remains closed while the Serious Crash Unit carries out a scene examination,” police said.

It is the second fatality on New Zealand roads today after a motorcyclist was killed in a single-bike crash on Main Rd in Murupara, Bay of Plenty about 12.50pm.

The road was closed between Pine Dr and Kowhai Ave and reopened about 5pm. Another person suffered serious injuries in the crash and was transported to hospital.

Seven people have now died on New Zealand roads over five days.

Another motorcyclist was critically injured this morning after colliding with a car in East Auckland’s Pakuranga, blocking a main road.

A motorcyclist has critical injuries after colliding with a car in Pakuranga. Photo / NZME

Police said emergency services were called to the intersection of Pakuranga Rd and Stanniland St shortly after 8.50am.

“The motorcyclist is said to have critical injuries. The Serious Crash Unit is attending, and motorists are asked to avoid using Pakuranga Rd if possible,” police said earlier.

The road was reopened about 1.30pm.

Meanwhile a major highway that passes through the Karangahake Gorge is set to be closed “for some time” tonight following a serious crash.

Emergency services have rushed to the scene of the single-vehicle crash on State Highway 2 at Waikino, near Victoria Battery Reserve, that was reported about 5pm.

“The driver of the vehicle has serious injuries,” a police spokesperson said.

“The road will be closed for some time.”

Diversions are in place but motorists are advised to expect delays.

Police described the fifth death as a result of a “vehicle incident” in Napier overnight.

The incident, on Nuffield Ave in Marewa, was reported to police at 9pm on Friday.

Emergency services rushed to the scene, where one person was found in a critical condition.

“Efforts to resuscitate the man were unsuccessful and he died at the scene,” a police spokesperson said.

The road was blocked overnight but has since reopened.

The Serious Crash Unit conducted a scene examination. Inquiries are ongoing.

It is not yet clear if this fatality will be involved in the official holiday road toll, which yesterday stood at four.

One person died on Friday evening following a serious vehicle incident on Nuffield Ave in Marewa, Napier.

The Ministry of Transport says it is being provisionally included.

The holiday road toll period began on December 24.

On Christmas Eve, a motorcyclist died in a crash involving a car in Parkvale, Tauranga. Later that evening, shortly after 10pm, another person died at the scene of a single-vehicle crash in Pah Hill Rd in the Auckland suburb of Wharehine. On Boxing Day, a third fatality occurred, on SH35 near Te Araroa north of Gisborne.

And yesterday, one person died and four others suffered minor injuries as the result of a two-vehicle crash on State Highway 25 between Thames and Coromandel shortly before 9am.

The road stayed closed for several hours.

Police said that over the Christmas period last year 21 people died in road crashes.

“Road safety partners aim not to have a repeat of that figure this year.”

Katie Oliver is a Christchurch-based Multimedia Journalist and breaking news reporter.