Police name man killed in Ruapehu crash

File photo / NZ Herald

The 59-year-old man who was killed in a crash at Ruapehu in the central North Island this morning has been named.

He was Alan Noel Harris, 59, of Palmerston North, Waiouru police said.

The single-car crash occurred on State Highway 49 about 3.30am. Mr Harris was the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Preliminary indications suggested Mr Harris' vehicle veered off the road on a bend and hit a tree.

His vehicle was heading towards Waiouru and was about 3km from the town, police said.

It had been snowing and hailing but it was unclear at this stage if the weather was a factor in the crash.

Waiouru police were continuing to investigate the crash alongside the Serious Crash Unit.

The death has now been referred to the Coroner.