Meremere smash lifts holiday toll to 9

The holiday road toll stood at nine yesterday following a fatal crash south of Auckland.

A 24-year-old man was killed on Saturday night when his northbound car collided with a southbound utility which had crossed the centre line on State Highway 1 near Meremere.

A passenger in the car received serious head injuries and was flown by air ambulance to Waikato Hospital, police said.

The driver of the utility was admitted to Waikato Hospital with moderate facial injuries.

The dead man had not been named last night.

Enquiries were continuing into the crash and police were appealing for witnesses.

State Highway 1 was closed for four hours following the crash, police said.

The eight previous road deaths during the holiday period all occurred before New Year's Day.

 

- NZPA