Two men killed in car-truck smash

Two men were killed when their car collided with a truck near Tauranga yesterday, police said today.

Tauranga men Steve Tira Webster, 18, and Owen Patene Smith, 26, died when their car collided with a truck on State Highway 29 near Tauranga's Welcome Bay roundabout, acting Sergeant Mike Fischer said.

A 23-year-old Rotorua woman, who was in the car, remained in Tauranga Hospital with serious injuries today.

Mr Fischer said the truck driver was not injured in the crash, which happened about 10am.

A crane was required to clear the road which was closed for five hours.

Police were still investigating the accident.

- NZPA