Your top five stories of the week

A poignant reminder left behind at the scene of Saturday night's fatal crash. Photo/George Novak

The top five stories you clicked on this week included Western Bay of Plenty's most dangerous road, a popular fitness craze coming to Tauranga and severe weather warnings.

Most dangerous road in NZ: Western Bay of Plenty mayor 'almost begging' to have it fixed

A 27-year-old Western Bay man is the latest crash victim on a dangerous and "unforgiving" stretch of road, prompting renewed calls to fast-track safety improvements.

The man died at the scene and three others were taken to Tauranga Hospital with serious injuries following the crash on the first of the Apata Curves between Katikati and Tauranga on State Highway 2.

Athletes in action at the F45 Tauranga gym. Photo/George Novak.

Celebrity cult workout to shed kilos set to sweep NZ

A popular fitness craze that has attracted a lot of attention around the world has arrived in the Bay, with one studio already open and another on its way.

Dubbed the world's fastest-growing training phenomenon, the first F45 studio has opened in Tauranga, with residents flocking to the centre to to find out more.

A truck carrying a load of coal rolled in Tauriko. Photo/George Novak

Truck crash at major Tauranga intersection

A truck carrying coal rolled on to two cars in Tauranga at a major intersection but amazingly no one was injured.

The intersection of State Highway 29a and SH36 at The Lakes roundabout was partially closed as emergency services respond to the crash.

Road-rage attacker hit driver with pool cue; weeps when jailed

A Te Puke man, who hit another motorist in the face with a pool cue during a road-rage incident, wept as he was jailed for 25 months.

Jason Thomson, 25, who earlier pleaded guilty to charges of assault with a weapon and cultivating cannabis, was sentenced in the Tauranga District Court this week.

Thunderstorms and hail were forecast for the region earlier this week. Photo/file

Thunderstorms, rain and hail on the way for the Bay of Plenty

Thunderstorms, rain and hail looked to be on the horizon for the Bay of Plenty earlier this week.

According to Metservice, humid conditions over the North Island were likely to lead to thunderstorms developing in many places including the Bay of Plenty, including Tauranga and Rotorua.