Brothers die after car hits tree

Two brothers have been killed in the eastern Bay of Plenty overnight after their car hit a tree.

Police say alcohol and speed contributed to the crash, and the drinking and driving culture in the area needs to change.

The accident happened on Reid Rd near the township of Taneatua, 13km south of Whakatane, before 11.45pm yesterday, said Sergeant Ray Wylie of Whakatane police.

The sole vehicle failed to take a sweeping left hand bend, crossed the centre line and hit the tree, he said.

"There were four occupants in the vehicle at the time, two brothers in the vehicle died at the scene."

It was the second fatal road crash in the eastern Bay of Plenty this year involving alcohol, Mr Wylie said.

"While this crash was a tragedy, it was avoidable. Attitudes to drinking and driving in the eastern Bay of Plenty need to change."

Whakatane police this morning would not say how old the brothers were or where they were from. Next of kin were being advised.

- NZPA