Two die when 4WD rolls

Two people died and three children were taken to hospital yesterday after this crash in the central North Island.

It was unclear last night if the people were parents of the children. However, a spokesman for the Lion Foundation rescue helicopter said it was believed the vehicle's occupants were from Auckland and were all members of the same family.

The two who died were travelling in the front seat of the 4WD vehicle that rolled on State Highway 1 as it was travelling south between Waiouru and Taihape about 9.40am.

Police said three children were taken by ambulance to Wanganui Hospital with minor injuries and a fourth rear seat passenger, a 27-year-old woman, was flown to the hospital with serious head injuries.

- NZPA