Northland police are urging motorists to reduce their speed and drive to the road conditions following two serious crashes over the weekend where one person died and a woman was seriously injured.
On Saturday afternoon, a motorcyclist in his 50s died after a crash on Mangakahia Road, near Awarua. The death brought Northland's road toll to 19 for the year so far.
Then on Sunday afternoon, police were also called to a crash on Pipiwai Rd, Whangārei, about 1.30pm where a young woman was seriously injured and flown to Auckland Hospital after the vehicle she was in hit a power pole. Late yesterday she remained in the hospital in a serious condition.
The Police Serious Crash unit is investigating both incidents. While the investigations are in their very early stages, initial indications are that speed may have been a factor in both crashes.
Read more: Spike in Northland power pole crashes sparks call for driver caution