One dead, one seriously injured in Waikato smash

One man was killed and another seriously injured after a head-on crash between a 4WD and a van in the Waikato town of Putararu tonight.

Police said that the accident happened about 5.40pm and the sole occupant of one vehicle died at the scene. A helicopter was on standby to take to hospital a second male occupant who was still trapped in his vehicle.

The road through the town was likely to be closed for several hours and diversions were in place.

- NZPA