Three die on roads

Three people are dead after two accidents in Northland and the western Bay of Plenty yesterday.

Two people died after their car went underneath a truck in the western Bay of Plenty about midnight.

Police say the crash happened on State Highway 29 near Kaimai and the two people died at the scene.

The truck driver was shaken but otherwise unharmed.

The road was closed and diversions were in place while the police serious crash team were investigating.

Meanwhile a man died after a crash between a truck and a ute at Kaikohe yesterday, police said.

Inspector Andrew Brill of police northern communications said a truck and a utility crashed at about 7.30pm on Mataraua Rd, Kaikohe.

"One person was trapped in the utility and subsequently died at the scene," Mr Brill said.

Northland Serious Crash Unit was investigating.

- NZPA