Two dead in separate central North Island crashes on SH1 and SH4 near Taihape and Waimarino

One person died following a crash near Taihape yesterday morning.

Two people have died in separate crashes on North Island highways yesterday.

Yesterday morning, the driver of a car died following a crash near Taihape, where their car had gone off the road and into the Hautapu River.

Police were alerted to the crash on State Highway 1, north of Spooners Hill, at 7.25am.

“On arrival, the car was located submerged in the river, with significant damage from the crash,” a police spokesperson said.

The car was removed from the water yesterday afternoon.

Police have since confirmed the dead driver was the sole occupant, the spokesperson said.

“Our thoughts are with their family and loved ones.”

SH1 was closed yesterday following the crash.

Late last night, one person died at the scene of a three-vehicle crash on State Highway 4 in Erua, Ruapehu.

Emergency services were called to the scene about 11.10pm.

Another person sustained critical injuries, and four others received minor injuries.

Hato Hone St John sent four ambulances, a rural response vehicle and a helicopter to the scene, with one person flown to Waikato Hospital in a serious condition and three with minor injuries taken to Taumarnui Hospital.

A fifth patient with minor injuries did not require hospital treatment.

Fire and Emergency sent three fire trucks and extricated one person from their vehicle.

The serious crash unit attended the incident.

Inquiries into the circumstances of both crashes are underway.