KEY POINTS:
A woman who died with her daughter in a road crash in Auckland yesterday may have been saved had she worn a seat belt, say police.
Mele Epenisa, 61, and her daughter Ofa Kena, 39, both from Glen Innes, Auckland were killed when their car left the road and hit a tree at 2.25pm yesterday.
Police confirmed today Ofa Kena, who was driving the car, was wearing a seat belt but her mother was unrestrained.
"Obviously being restrained is going to help your chances of surviving in a crash which is sufficient to kill someone who is restrained," said Sergeant Matt Ford from the Auckland serious crash unit.
Mr Ford said it appeared the driver lost control of the car which left the road, hitting the tree at low-speed crash.
"For what reason we do not know at this stage."
He said there was no evidence on the road to indicate what happened.
A post mortem was due today when toxicology samples would be taken but police did not suspect alcohol was a factor, he said.
No other vehicle was involved and the two women were the only occupants of the crashed car.
Mr Ford said Ofa Kena died instantly and her mother died at the scene a short time later.
- NZPA
