One dead in head-on smash

File photo / NZ Herald

One person has died in a head-on smash north of Wellington this afternoon.

Police central communications Senior Sergeant Marc Clausen said two cars are believed to have collided head-on just after 1pm at Manakau in the Horowhenua. The accident happened on a 100km/h stretch of State Highway 1 at the intersection of Gleeson Rd.

The driver and sole occupant of one of the cars died at the scene. The driver and sole occupant of the other vehicle was seriously injured.

Mr Clausen said there were report of fire, but he was unsure of the extent of the fire, or whether it destroyed either vehicle.

It appears a Toyota car has crossed the centreline and collided head-on with a Mitsubishi 4WD. There was one occupant in each vehicle.

An 84-year-old female in the Toyota has died at the scene while an 80-year-old male from the Mitsubishi suffered minor injuries. He has been taken for assessment to Palmerston North Hospital as a precaution.

The traffic diversions in place are moving traffic but there will still be delays. It is hoped to have the road open before 5pm.