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Four people are dead after three fatal car crashes last night - including one involving two vehicles and a horse.
A two-car crash south of Waihi, at the intersection of Ford Rd and State Highway 2, killed a woman in each car. A westbound Nissan allegedly lost control on a left-hand bend, crossing the centre line and into the path of an east-bound Toyota.
The 59-year-old driver of the Toyota was critically injured and the female passenger died at the scene. The driver was taken to Tauranga hospital.
Waikato serious crash unit head sergeant Greg Waters said all involved were wearing seatbelts.
Traffic was directed down Ford Rd for at least two hours after the accident. The area has been known as a hazard, particuarly for traffic crossing the highway from Waihi Beach.
In Te Teko, in the Bay of Plenty, a man died after a car with three men in it crashed into the Te Teko War Memorial Hall.
Two people were taken to Whakatane Hospital with moderate injuries. In Huntly, a 23-year-old man died after a collision between two cars and a horse on Te Ohaki Rd at 6.30pm. The horse was also killed in the crash.
