One dead after car crashes into Waikato paddock

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Police say high speed is to blame for the death of a man who was killed when he lost control of his car and rolled it into a paddock on a Waikato road this morning.

The 45-year-old man was found trapped in his car on Tainui Road, Whitikahu about 9.45am today.

Fire services cut the man free from the wreckage but he died soon after. His death is the first on Waikato roads for 2013.

Senior sergeant Rupert Friend of Huntly police said it appeared the man lost control of his car on a bend before the vehicle went into a paddock and rolled.

He said speed was "most definitely" a factor in the man's death.

"This is a case of a rural person dying on rural roads," he said.

"They may know the roads and drive them all the time but they still have to slow down and drive them properly."

The man's name has not been released but Mr Friend said he was from the area and his next of kin had been notified.

He said diversions had been put in place at the southern end of Tainui Road as the serious crash unit continues its investigation into the accident.