One person confirmed dead after car fire in Taranaki

Police were called to the fire at 7.20am. Photo / NZME

A person has died in hospital after a car fire earlier today.

Police confirmed the person was airlifted to Waikato Hospital with serious burns and later died.

Emergency services were called to the burning vehicle on State Highway 3, between Mimi and Waiiti Rds near New Plymouth, at 7.20am.

“A person in the car sustained serious burns and has been airlifted to Waikato Hospital. At this stage, it is not clear how the car fire started,” a police spokesperson said.

The road has been closed, and is likely to remain so for some time.

Police are asking anyone who was travelling through the area this morning to contact them on 105 and quote event number P053073011, because they may have information that could help.

Inquiries were ongoing to establish how the car fire started, police said.