Man in custody after fatal river plunge

The mouth of the Whanganui River. File photo / Wanganui Chronicle

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A 38-year-old man has been remanded in custody after the car he was driving plunged into the Whanganui river, killing two people.

The man appeared in the Wanganui District Court today charged with dangerous driving causing death.

A two-year-old boy and 38-year-old Frances Rachel Tekaawa died when a white Subaru Impreza car crashed into the river at Whanganui at 1.20pm yesterday.

Three men escaped, and members of the public jumped into the river to try to get to the vehicle and save the two trapped in the car, police said.

Ms Tekaawa's body was found shortly after the car disappeared in the water, and about four hours later the police dive squad began searching for the child.

The car was pulled out of the river about 7.15pm. An hour later, the child's body was discovered on the riverbed about 15 metres from where the car was found.

Police said they were speaking to witnesses and examining the car today and further charges may be laid against the driver.

Ms Tekaawa and the child were among six deaths on the road over the weekend.

A man died in a fiery car smash near Jackeytown Road, just outside Palmerston North early today.

Senior Sergeant Sue O'Neil said police wanted to hear from anyone who saw the car on the road between 3.30am and 4.35am when it was thought to have hit a concrete culvert, flipped upside down and burst into flames.

She said dental records may be used to help identify the man who was travelling alone in the white Honda Accord.

A 58-year-old man was killed after his motorbike crashed on the Upper Hutt side of the Rimutaka Hill just after 9pm yesterday.

Police said the man died at the scene and the road was closed for a time while police carried out an investigation.

A 27-year-old man died several hours after being after being hit by a north-bound van as he walked along State Highway 1, north of Waikanae, about 1.45am yesterday.

He was taken to Wellington Hospital's intensive care unit in a critical condition but died late yesterday morning, police said.

A person died on after a car crashed off State Highway 1 at Parnassus, 14km north of Cheviot, in north Canterbury, on Friday.

The annual death toll so far this year stands at 359 compared with 363 at the same time last year.

- NZPA