Four people dead in road smashes overnight and another is being taken to hospital

A woman driver is dead after a logging truck and car crashed in Waikato this morning and three more people died in crashes overnight.

A motorcyclist is also in a critical condition after his bike and a car collided in Hamilton. According to the Ministry of Transport the road toll stood at 363 at midnight last night. It is not clear if last night's victims are included.

Fire and Emergency northern shift communications manager Colin Underdown said an empty logging truck and a car had collided at 4.50am on State Highway 29, about 4km from the intersection with SH1 at Karapiro.

The section of highway between SH1 and SH27 remains closed and drivers can expect delays.

SH29 PIARERE - CRASH - 6:10AM

Due to a serious crash SH29 Piarere is CLOSED between SH1 & SH27. Expect some delays in the area and follow directions of emergency services. ^LC

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Waikato/BoP (@WakaKotahiWaiBP) December 19, 2017

St John Ambulance said no one else was injured.

Another person died after their car crashed into a tree on Pyes Pa Rd in Tauranga.

Underdown said the crash happened around 10.15pm between Williams and Taumata Rds.

And another driver was dead after a car left the road and crashed into a paddock in the Clutha District, police said.

The single car crash happened about 11pm, between Switzers and Moncurs Rds. The road was reopened byabout 1am.

A fourth man died in the Waitaki District about 1.50am when his car crashed into a bridge between Herbert-Hampden and Woodburn Rds in Herbert. Police said it appeared no other vehicle was involved.

Waikato Senior Sergeant Simon Cherry said a man was in a critical condition after his motorcycle and a car crashed on Heaphy Tce, Hamilton, at 10.20pm yesterday.

Meanwhile, a rescue helicopter is headed to a central North Island highway where a driver was trapped after a truck crashed into a bank early this morning.

A police spokeswoman said the crash was on SH4 between Tohunga and Middle Rds 9km north of Raetihi.

The highway was closed near the intersection with Matapuna Rd at 6.45am.

The driver was in a moderate to serious condition, she said.

A helicopter had been called to fly the injured driver to hospital.

SH4 HOROPITO - ROAD CLOSED - 6:45AM

Due to a #crash, the road is CLOSED near the intersection with Matapuna Road. Please follow the directions of emergency services on site. ^EL pic.twitter.com/vz30hHUYNH

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Central North Island (@WakaKotahiCNI) December 19, 2017

A heavy haulage tow truck has been called to clear the wreckage from the highway.