Horse dies, car occupants hurt after collision in Kawerau, Bay of Plenty

A horse died after being hit by a car in Kawerau. Photo/File

A horse has died after being hit by a car in Kawerau, Bay of Plenty.

A police media communications spokeswoman said police were called to the scene at Tamarangi Drive at 11.15pm after a car hit a horse.

"The horse died in the middle of the road," the spokeswoman said.

The car was towed from the scene and the horse was removed from the road before 12.15am.

Danielle Drury said her grandparents were driving the car back from their weekly ballroom dancing class in Tauranga when they collided with the horse.

"It was dark and rainy, nobody would have seen a horse in those conditions.

"My grandad suffered facial fractures and is in the surgical ward and my nana is quite shaken up, I think she's still in shock.

"Of course it is unfortunate the horse died but it shouldn't have been in the middle of the road in the first place."