Couple killed in Desert Rd crash named

Police have named the elderly Whakatane couple killed in a three car crash south of Taupo yesterday.

Malcolm John Anderson, 82, and his passenger, wife Margaret Catherine Anderson, 76, died at the scene after the crash on the Desert Road, 27km south of Turangi, about 1.30pm.

The Anderson's northbound Suzuki and a southbound BMW convertible collided, causing the BMW to spin and roll before coming to rest in vegetation on the side of the road.

A Nissan van then collided with the Suzuki, which spun into tussock at the side of the road, Senior Constable Dave Frazer of Taupo police said.

The 48-year-old driver of the BMW from Wanaka was treated at Taupo Hospital for minor injuries and released.

His passengers, a man and a woman visiting from France, were not injured and continued their journey south with another motorist, Mr Frazer said.

The driver of the van, a 28-year-old man from Rongotea, was taken to Palmerston North Hospital with moderate injuries.

State Highway 1 was closed for four and a half hours while the road was cleared and vehicles removed.

Police are investigating.

Weather conditions were fine and the road was dry.

- NZPA