Fifth person killed on SH5 near Rotorua in a week after car and truck collide

One person has died after a crash on State Highway 5, near Rotorua overnight.

Emergency services were alerted to the crash between a car and a truck at 3am.

One person was killed in the crash between a car and a truck near Rotorua on Friday night.

State Highway 5 at Ngongataha Valley remains closed between Maraeroa Rd to Dansey Rd.

Emergency services were alerted to the crash at 3am.

The death comes just days after four people were killed in a crash on SH5 just south of Rotorua.

Two men and two women died in a collision between a car and an SUV at Whakarewarewa on Monday.

Three people died at the scene of the crash, reported at 7.50pm.

The fourth died in hospital after having been transported in a critical condition.

Traffic is delayed at the scene of a two-car crash in Whakarewarewa, south of Rotorua December 9. A police spokesperson said the crash on State Highway 5 was reported to police at 7.50pm. Photo / Ben Fraser

A family member of Mary-Jane Mereheni Heke, 50, took to social media on Tuesday night to announce her “sudden and tragic passing”, providing details surrounding her tangi.

Heke, also known as Mere, leaves behind five children and a grandchild – and was set to celebrate her 51st birthday on December 29.

Yesterday the Herald reported that a brother and sister were also killed in the crash.

Ruben Stockdale-Frost and Amelia Stockdale Lamont, 26, both of Napier, died after a crash on SH5 near Rotorua on Monday, December 7, 2024. Photo / Supplied

Mother-of-two Amelia Stockdale Lamont, 26, of Napier, was named by her widower and in a funeral notice as one of the victims.

“My children, our extended whānau and I are crushed to lose our precious love,” husband Josiah Lamont said.

“My girl is dancing among heaven’s flowers.”

The woman’s brother Ruben Stockdale-Frost, also of Napier, was also killed in the crash. He was also in his 20s.

Yesterday police confirmed one person had died after a two-vehicle crash in the Coromandel on Thursday.

Emergency services were called to Main Rd, Tairua, between Manaia and Daphne roads at 5.20pm.

“Sadly, one person was unable to be revived. Their death has been referred to the coroner,” a police spokesperson said.

“The Serious Crash Unit has conducted a scene examination, and inquiries are ongoing.”

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