One person has died in a serious crash between a truck and a car on Sandspit Road in Warkworth this morning.
This incident brings the total number of deaths on New Zealand roads to 17 since Monday 1 April. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
Police were called to the scene at about 7.20am. Initial indications were that one person was critically injured. Police later said the person died.
The road is closed while the Serious Crash Unit examines the scene. Diversions are in place and motorists are asked to avoid the area.
This morning's incident brings the total number of deaths on New Zealand roads to 17 since Monday 1 April.
Yesterday, in Nelson, a cyclist died after a collision with a car on State Highway 6.
In Christchurch, a 12-year-old and an adult died and two children and another adult were left with serious injuries after a truck and a car crashed at the intersection of Yaldhurst Rd and Russley Rd.
And one person was killed after a motorcyclist was hit by a car near Waipa.
On Thursday, one person died in a crash on State Highway 50 in Tikokino, Central Hawke's Bay.
On 3 April, a motorcyclist died in a crash in Manawatu after hitting a cow on a rural road. Police were called to Bainesse Rd, south-west of Palmerston North.
The cow was euthanised at the scene and no other vehicles were involved in the incident.
On 2 April, one person died following a serious two-car crash on the Te Puke Highway, near Te Puke.
On 1 April, nine people were killed in separate fatal crashes across the country.
In Taupō, five people from the same family died in a crash near the Kinleith Forest on Tirohanga Rd.
An 11-year-old boy is the sole survivor of the crash.
Police said people in the vehicle were not wearing their seat belts.
In Ashburton, three people died when a station wagon and a ute collided at the intersection of Mitcham Road and Hepburns Road.
Crash data collated by the Transport Agency since 2000 counts more than 250 crashes on the back roads of Ashburton, with 48 being on Mitcham Road.
On the same day in Auckland, a man died after being critically injured after his car left the road and crashed into the water near Auckland Airport.
Road users urged to stay alert
Following the fatalities, police are asking road users to drive to the conditions, wear seatbelts, not drive tired or after drinking or taking drugs, and not to use their cellphones.
The Transport Agency is also reminding drivers to be vigilant.
Road safety director Harry Wilson said half the time crashes were caused by good drivers making simple errors.
"A moment of inattention can have tragic consequences," Mr Wilson said.
Yesterday, AA called this week one of the worst for road deaths in New Zealand's recent history
"Things were looking good this year, and now - in the space of seven days - that's completely changed," spokesperson Dylan Thomsen said.
Associate Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter said it had been a tragic week.
"What really breaks my heart about this week is the number of very young people who've lost their lives in crashes," Ms Genter said.
Police figures show that the number of tickets given out for not wearing a seat belt has dropped by 49 percent in the past decade.