Waitara teen hit by car dies in hospital

A Waitara teenager died in New Plymouth Hospital early this morning after being struck by a van while walking on State Highway 3 near Urenui in north Taranaki.

Police said the 17-year-old was struck at about 11.20pm on the corner of Avenue Street and State Highway 3 just north of Urenui and died in hospital four hours later.

Poor visibility was a likely factor in the collision, with heavy rain falling and the victim wearing dark clothes, Senior Sergeant Selwyn Wansbrough said.

The youth's name has not yet been released.

- NZPA