KEY POINTS:
A 23-year-old man died and two others were critically injured after a head-on motor vehicle smash on State Highway 3 near Kaitoke, south of Wanganui, last night.
Police said it appeared the crash happened when a southbound vehicle carrying four men tried to overtake a truck on a blind corner.
During the manoeuvre, the passing vehicle slammed into another car, travelling north. The driver of the northbound car died at the scene.
Two men from the passing car were taken to hospital with critical injuries, and two others received moderate injuries.
The truck driver escaped unhurt.
Wanganui police, who are investigating the crash, are expected to release the name of the dead man later today.
- NZPA
