KEY POINTS:
Police today named the driver killed when his car crashed into a Taranaki river yesterday.
He was Phillip Leslie Kilpatrick, 28, of Opunake.
Mr Kilpatrick was the sole occupant of the vehicle which plunged into the Stoney River off Wiremu Rd, near Okato, 26km south-west of New Plymouth, about 6.40am.
The car ended up in knee deep water in the river.
Constable Richard Corry, stationed at Okato, said Mr Kilpatrick would have been killed on impact.
The serious crash unit was still investigating the accident, but it appeared alcohol was not involved. Fatigue may have been a factor, he said.
- NZPA
