Fatal crash 'due to car failing to negotiate bend'

Photo / Christine Cornege

Police officers and other emergency service personnel deal with the aftermath of a head-on crash at Karapiro in the Waikato yesterday that left one of the drivers dead.

Officers believe the man killed, a 68-year-old from Hamilton, crossed the centre line and collided into the other car. The collision occurred on State Highway 1, 10km southeast of Cambridge, just before 10am.

Police say it appears that the victim's northbound hatchback failed to negotiate a slight bend. He died at the scene.

The driver of the other car suffered moderate to serious injuries and was taken to Waikato Hospital by ambulance.

Diversions were put in place while emergency services cleared the scene, and the state highway was then reopened to traffic.

- NZPA