Police error: Crash victim alive after incorrect reports of death

Photo / File

A passenger reported to have died in a crash near Ōpōtiki is alive after police admitted to the error in a media statement earlier today.

Police reported this morning that a 49-year-old male passenger had died in Waikato Hospital following the crash.

But police said this afternoon that statement was not correct.

"The person seriously injured in the crash has not died," the statement this afternoon read.

"Police sincerely apologise for the error and any distress this may have caused the man's family. We are working to determine how this error has occurred and ensure it does not happen again."

Emergency services were called to the two-crash on State Highway 35, Tirohanga, near the intersection of Gow Rd about 6.35pm on Sunday.

The scene was cleared shortly before midnight and an investigation into the cause of the crash was ongoing.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or have any information who may be able to help police is urged to contact Ōpōtiki or Whakatāne police via 105.

The crash follows two people dying in a crash on State Highway 2 Waiotahi Beach Rd on November 24.