Hitchhiker may have been killed in stolen vehicle

One of the two men killed in a stolen Mercedes that crashed while fleeing police may have been a hitchhiker from Kerikeri.

Frederick Te Aparua Murphy and Kaitaia teen Hemi Noble were killed when the Mercedes crashed into a Toyota RAV4 while trying to overtake a line of traffic just south of the Dome Valley on Tuesday afternoon.

Mr Murphy, 34, lived in Waimate North where residents last night described him as a well-groomed man who worked as a hairdresser. He often hitchhiked as he had no car.

It is not known where Mr Murphy was heading but a neighbour believed he might have been hitchhiking and not known the Mercedes had been stolen earlier that morning.

Police said they were also told he might have been hitchhiking and were investigating that possibility.

Mr Murphy had been sitting in the backseat of the car when it hit the RAV4, flew through the air and landed on its side. He is believed to have died within minutes of the crash.

Hemi Noble, 17, who had been sitting in front of Mr Murphy, also died at the scene.

The other backseat passenger, Hone Yates, 14, from Kaitaia, suffered abdominal injuries and was taken to Starship hospital where he remained in a stable condition yesterday.

Yates was sitting behind the driver, a 16-year-old who yesterday appeared in the North Shore Youth Court charged with unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.

The teenager, who cannot be named because of his age, has been remanded in custody and is due to reappear in court on October 18.

Police are still investigating the accident and say it is likely more charges will be laid.