Fatal crash SH1 Uretiti - four dead

An ambulance leaves the crash scene where four people have died.

Police and other emergency services have been called to a multiple-fatal crash at Uretiti, near Ruakaka.

The crash happened just before 1pm.

A police spokesman said a car and a logging truck collided on State Highway 1 just south of the Waipu Golf Club, between Waipu and Ruakaka in Northland.

Three people were dead and a child was in a critical condition, he said. A forth person has since been confirmed dead.

SH1 was closed and traffic was being diverted on Rosythe Road.

The road will be closed for some time.

1.35pm
Child taken from the crash scene by the Northland Electricity rescue helicopter to Whangarei Hospital.

1.45pm
Four people believed dead. Road will be closed for up to 6 hours.

1.55pm
The diversion through Rosythe Road & Mountfield Road is for both north & south bound traffic.

Police don't want people using Doctors Hill Road as it has a one lane bridge which is unsuitable for large traffic volumes. Again please take extra care on these roads.

2.28pm
A witness at the scene said there were at least a dozen emergency services vehicles at the scene. A victim support officer had arrived at the scene and the bodies were being removed. A kaumatua was at the scene and about to bless the site.