Man dies after car hits trees

A middle-aged man has died in a crash in the Bay of Plenty after apparently failing to take a bend and hitting some trees, police said.

Alcohol and not wearing a seatbelt appeared to have contributed to the crash on McKee Road, near Kawerau, Sergeant Ray Wylie said.

Police were called to the accident about 8am today, although it was unclear when it happened. The man, the sole occupant of the car, was still in the vehicle.

Pre-mixed alcohol drinks were found in and around the car, Mr Wylie said.

The name of the dead man would be released once next of kin were informed. Police were investigating the cause of the crash.

- NZPA