The body of a person lay trapped in a car for more than three hours after a fatal crash on State Highway 22 near Karaka yesterday.
The three-car crash occurred on Karaka Rd near Whangapouri Rd, less than 2km before a passing lane, just before 3.30pm.
One person was killed, one received life-threatening injuries and one moderate injuries.
The crash was so severe that the body of the dead person had to be removed using heavy cutting equipment. One firefighter described it as a "grisly scene".
The collision left the three cars - including a silver Jeep and red hatchback - strewn across the road with both lanes subsequently closed.
