Man dies following crash east of Rotorua

A man has died following this crash on State Highway 33 yesterday. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

A man seriously injured in a crash east of Rotorua has died.

The 68-year-old man from Taupo, Monty Broughton, died in hospital last night shortly after 11pm after suffering lower legs and abdomen injuries.

He was travelling in a vehicle on State Highway 33 between Mourea and Okere Falls when the vehicle left the road and hit a ditch.

The were three others in the vehicle, including his wife and their friends, said Rotorua police Senior Sergeant Malcolm Collins.

The other three suffered moderate injuries.

The Rotorua Fire Brigade used the jaws of life to cut the four people free from the vehicle.

"An investigation into the cause of the crash will now be launched and our inquiries are continuing. We just ask people to make sure they take regular breaks when they are on long trips," Mr Collins said.

Emergency services came across the crash while on their way to another crash in the area, on Maniatutu Rd.

In that crash a vehicle rolled, resulting in a baby being taken to Rotorua Hospital for observation. The driver was not hurt.

Eleven people have now died on New Zealand roads this holiday period.

The holiday period officially ends at 6am tomorrow.

Fourteen people died in the holiday period over the 2014/15 season.