Woman dies, baby critically injured in crash

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A woman has died and a baby is in Starship Hospital with critical injuries after their van collided with a runaway trailer on State Highway 1, north of Whangarei.

Police spokeswoman Sarah Kennett said the woman, 44, was in a car with a three-month-old boy when her car collided with the trailer.

She said the trailer was carrying fence posts and was being towed by a truck shortly before 7 last night when the accident happened.

The woman died at the scene.

Ms Kennett said the baby boy was taken to Whangarei hospital before being flown to Auckland's Starship Hospital with life threatening injuries.

She said the Serious Crash Unit was investigating and it was still unclear how the trailer came away from the truck.

State Highway One north of Whakapara was closed last night for about four hours but re-opened at 11pm.

The name of the woman has not been released as family members are still being told of the death.

- NZHERALD STAFF