Child one of four killed in high-speed crash

Emergency services rushed to the scene near Tuakau. Photo / Herald on Sunday

A child aged about six was among four people killed last night in a two-car crash near Tuakau, south Auckland, police said today.

Another person remains seriously ill in the intensive care unit at Middlemore Hospital this morning.

The accident happened about 9pm on Buckland Rd between Tuakau and Pukekohe when the driver of a Ford Falcon overtook another car, and lost control on a bend.

The Falcon hit a Mitsubishi car travelling in the opposite direction, police said.

"The Ford Falcon has crushed the Mitsubishi on the passengers' side the whole way in," spokeswoman Ana-Mari Gates-Bowey said.

One of the two cars burst into flames, burning some of the occupants beyond recognition.

Police said it was not even possible to tell if the victims were male or female.

Two adults and a child, aged about six, died in one car, and the other dead person was found on the side of the road.

A male passenger in the other vehicle, whose age was not known, was taken to Middlemore Hospital with multiple injuries.

Buckland Road was closed last night after the accident but re-opened early this morning.

- With NZPA and NZHERALD STAFF