Man killed in high-speed Wairarapa crash

One man died and another was injured when a speeding car slid out of control and hit a power pole at Greytown in Wairarapa today.

The 32-year-old passenger died at the scene of the crash, which happened at 7.40am, but his name had not been released, Wairarapa police area controller Inspector Rod Drew said in a statement.

The driver of the car was being treated for a broken leg in Masterton Hospital.

Mr Drew said the northbound car had been clocked at 167km/h by a police patrol car going in the opposite direction, seconds before the crash, which happened in a 50km/h area.

"By the time the officer had turned around, the speeding vehicle was out of sight," Mr Drew said.

"As the officer drove around a corner leading into Greytown, he was in time to see sparks flying 800m in front of him from the power lines as they came down."

Preliminary inquiries showed the driver of the crashed car had swerved to go around another car and slid 150m before hitting the lamppost. The post was ripped from the ground and carried for 10m.

Mr Drew said police were not engaged in a pursuit.

He said police had received a report a car was seen earlier in the morning travelling at high speeds over Rimutaka Hill Rd.

- NZPA