A Northland roading cop says the region's high road toll represented a "terrible burden of grief and suffering" after it reached 11 when a man was struck by a van.
Northland Serious Crash Unit is investigating the fatal crash on Wednesday where a 48-year-old man died at the scene after he was struck by a southbound van on State Highway 1, Hikurangi, about 7.30pm. The death tipped Northland's road toll to 11 deaths. At the same time last year the road toll stood at six deaths. Northland road policing manager, Inspector Wayne Ewers, urged road users to make smart decisions.
"Eleven deaths on the road represents a terrible burden of grief and suffering. We urge all road users to make smart decisions when they are driving to allow them, their passengers and other road users to reach their destinations safely," he said.
Police could not comment on the circumstances of the crash. They said the driver of the van was uninjured and was assisting police. Police said the man's name won't be released until next of kin are notified.
The last road death in Northland was on April 14 when a man died after the car he was in rolled on Pawarenga Rd.
