One dead after car veers off road near Westport

A 19-year-old man has died after a car driven by another teenager veered off the road and crashed down a steep bank near Westport this afternoon.

Police said the car left Tauranga Bay Rd and crashed through bush and down the bank about 4pm today.

A Canterbury teenager in the back seat - one of five occupants of the car - died in the crash.

Another passenger suffered a broken leg, while the other three occupants were treated in hospital for minor injuries and discharged.

Police said no other vehicles were involved in the crash.

Officers were speaking to the car's 17-year-old driver.

The police serious crash unit was investigating.