Road re-opens after fatal Taupo crash

A man is dead after a crash between a ute and a truck and trailer unit near Taupo today.

Taupo police said the crash happened about 1.20am on a bridge at Waitahanui, 7km south of Taupo.

State Highway 1 near Taupo was closed but reopened later in the morning.

The serious crash unit had been investigating the accident.

The dead man was the driver of the utility motor vehicle and was trapped inside it, police said. The truck driver was not injured.

The dead man's name will not be released until next of kin is contacted.

Police said weather, speed and alcohol were not thought to have been contributing factors and inquiries are continuing.

- NZPA