Speed, a rural road, a tree - and two deaths

Picture / Sarah Ivey

Two people died in this Nissan Skyline when the car hit a tree on a rural Waikato back road just after 10am yesterday.

They were named today as Paul Hawira, 16, of Hamilton and Caroline Lim, 15, of Ngaruawahia.

Police believe speed was a factor in a crash, which was on Gillard Rd near Ngahinapouri, 16km southwest of Hamilton. The two passengers were killed instantly.

A woman passenger was in Waikato Hospital with serious injuries and the other two occupants had minor injuries.