Day of horror on NZ roads

The Desert Road has been the site of another fatal crash this afternoon. File photo / supplied

At least two people are dead and a child badly injured following a horrific day on New Zealand roads.

An elderly woman pedestrian died from critical injuries received after she was run over by a passing car this morning in Wellsford, while another person has died in a two-car collision on the Desert Road this afternoon. A 3-year-old child is in serious condition after being struck by a four-wheel-drive near Levin this morning.

The crash on the Desert Road at about 2.40pm has closed State Highway 1 and diversions are in place at Waiouru and Rangipo. The crash occurred on State Highway One just north of Waiouru.

Four people have been injured, one of whom is in a serious condition. Police have confirmed that a fifth person has died at the scene.

Two rescue helicopters have been deployed to transport the injured people. Police said the cause of the crash is unknown at this stage and the specialist crash units are at the incident to carry out a scene examination.

Meanwhile, a 3-year-old child was seriously injured when he was struck by a four-wheel-drive south of Levin this morning.

The incident happened on Waikawa Beach Rd near Manakau, shortly around 10.30am.
A woman was injured in a scuffle after the child was hit, Inspector Ian Harris of the central police communications centre said.

Police were investigating. The child was taken to to Palmerston North Hospital in a serious condition.

Earlier today, an elderly woman died from critical injuries after she was run over by a passing car.

Emergency services were called the scene at 9:17am today after a car hit a pedestrian at the intersection of State Highway One and Matheson Rd, in the town of Wellsford.

The woman, thought to be in her 80s, was airlifted to Auckland Hospital with serious facial and leg injuries. She has since died, said northern police communications Inspector Peter Raynes.

"She passed away in the Auckland Hospital as a result of the injuries sustained at the vehicle collision."

The Serious Crash Unit conducted a full scene examination after the crash and have spoken to the driver of the car involved in the incident.

"The driver stopped straight away and was speaking to police. He was very co-operative with police inquiries."

Mr Raynes said it was too soon to say whether charges would be laid, or to tell what caused the accident.

He said police were still speaking to witnesses.

The area had been blocked off and diversions put in place while a scene examination was carried out, but both lanes of the State Highway reopened at 12:30pm today, he said.

The New Zealand Land Safety Authority would decide whether the death contributed to the holiday road toll, he said.

The official road toll period began at 4pm on Friday and ends at 6am on January 4, and last year saw 12 die during the period.

The death will be referred to the coroner.