A 14-year-old girl was killed after her 15-year-old friend driving the campervan they were travelling in allegedly became distracted and collided with a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
The fatality is the first on Eastern Bay of Plenty roads this year.
The teenager died at the scene on SH30 at Awakeri,17km southwest of Whakatane, about 10.40am.
Her friend, who was driving the small Toyota Hiace campervan, was taken to Whakatane Hospital by a St John ambulance with moderate injuries to her right arm.
The male driver of the other vehicle in the crash, a Toyota Hilux, suffered minor injuries and did not have to be taken to hospital.
Sergeant Ray Wylie of Whakatane would not say what the driver of the campervan was doing before the smash because the serious crash team was investigating.
"The driver of the campervan has been distracted while driving and as a result the vehicle crossed the centre line into the path of an oncoming vehicle," he said.
Mr Wylie said police yesterday were working to contact the deceased girl's family, who were out of town at the time of the accident.
Chief Fire Officer Ken Clark of Whakatane said two appliances were sent to help with traffic control and clean up the road.
Diversions were in place for about two hours along Te Rahu and Paroa Rds.
"There were bits and pieces all over the place. Nothing could be recognised. It wasn't a pretty sight."
He said despite suffering cuts and bruises, the driver of the Hilux was up and walking around.
"But the shock sets in later on, doesn't it? An hour later it would probably have kicked in."
Meanwhile, emergency services attended a second crash in Whakatane. Police said no one was injured in the two-car collision near the corner of Arawa and Valley Rds.
