Car crash on Tamaki Drive leaves man critically injured

A man was critically injured when a car crashed into a pole and rolled on Tamaki Drive in Auckland this morning.

The man was flung from the car, which came to rest on its roof opposite the Parnell Baths about 1.10am, an ambulance spokesman said. He suffered life-threatening injuries while another occupant of the car suffered moderate injuries.

Both were taken to Auckland Hospital.

A northern police communications spokesman said the road was closed while a scene examination was carried out.

The police serious crash unit was investigating.

The incident came after a motorcyclist, aged in his 40s, died in a head-on crash with a car near Kumeu last night.

Emergency services were called to the crash on Old North Rd in Waimauku about 7.10pm.

"It was reported that the motorcyclist had done a passing manoeuvre on a blind corner with another motorcyclist," an ambulance spokesman said.

One of the bikes made it though, but the other crashed into an oncoming car.

The man was given CPR but he died at the scene.