Southland teen dies after car plunges into river

A 16-year-old youth died and a 17-year-old was injured when the car in which they were travelling plunged into Mataura River in Southland today.

Senior Sergeant Dave Raynes said the two teenagers were travelling on SH99 between Gorge Road and Tokanui when the car crashed into the river about 8am.

The 16-year-old driver died at the scene. His passenger was taken to Southland Hospital in Invercargill.