The 19-year-old Tauranga man who died following a two-car road smash near Te Puke has been named.
He was apprentice plumber Cameron Michael Crosby.
The crash happened about 8.30pm on Saturday at the intersection of Manoeka Rd and State Highway 2 near Te Puke.
Senior Sergeant
Rob Glencross said the victim was the driver of the van that pulled out from Manoeka Rd and collided with a 4WD travelling towards Tauranga.
The 4WD crashed into a shelter belt while the van blocked the road, forcing the highway to be closed until about 11pm. No diversions were able to be put in place and traffic had to be stopped.
Mr Crosby passed away at Tauranga Hospital.
A passenger in the van, a 19-year-old Tauranga man, suffered serious injuries and was now in a critical condition in Tauranga Hospital.
A third passenger in the van and the driver of the 4WD were treated for minor injuries.
Senior Sergeant Glencross said the weather conditions at the time of the crash were good and speed was not a factor. It was unknown if alcohol was involved.
Witnesses are being urged to contact the Tauranga police station on (07) 577 4300.
Meanwhile, a 36-year-old Huntly woman suffered arm and pelvic injuries when the vehicle she was in swerved to avoid a calf in the middle of the road at Pongakawa. The car left the road, hit a bank and ended up in a drain about 11.30pm on Friday on SH2.
The woman had to be cut free from the wreckage by Pukehina firefighters. The Tauranga-based TrustPower TECT rescue helicopter flew the woman to Tauranga Hospital in a moderate condition.
The four other occupants of the vehicle, including three adults and a child, were taken to Tauranga Hospital by St John ambulance.
