Names released of two who died in local crashes

FILE

Police have released the names of two people who died in separate crashes near Rotorua and Taupo yesterday.

The 68-year-old man who died near Mourea, east of Rotorua, was Monty Broughton, from Taupo.

The vehicle he was a passenger in crashed into a ditch off State Highway 33 just after 4pm yesterday.

He died in Rotorua Hospital about 11pm last night.

Three others were in the vehicle but were not seriously hurt.

A crash near Taupo about 1pm claimed the life of Stevie Rangataua-Alexander, 18, from Auckland.

She died at the scene of a two vehicle crash on State Highway 1 north of Taupo.

She was the driver of one of the vehicles. Her death has been referred to the Coroner.