The incident happened at around 3.15pm at the top of the Kopu-Hikuai summit on the Coromandel Peninsula. Photo / Google
One person has been killed and three others injured after a two-car crash on the Coromandel Peninsula.
The accident happened about 3.15pm at the top of the Kopu-Hikuai summit - between Kirikiri Valley Rd and Puketui Rd.
Police said this evening the person killed was a passenger.
At least five fire crews responded to the crash.
The road is expected to be closed while serious crash investigators carry out a scene examination and diversions are in place.
St John spokesperson Elliot Steel said two helicopters had been sent to the scene along with one first response unit and two ambulances.
"Sadly, one person has died at the scene and there are two others in serious condition."
Another person was moderately injured.
The three injured people have been taken to Auckland City Hospital.
The latest fatality is the fourth road death around the country in 24 hours.
A 15-year-old cyclist died in a hit-and-run incident on Auckland's North Shore at 11pm last night.
Emergency services were called to the Oteha Valley Rd north-bound off-ramp near the park and ride, police said.
A teenager riding a bike at the time of the crash died at the scene.
The official road toll stands at 146 deaths from January 1 to yesterday, but was unlikely to include the latest four deaths.
This time last year, 139 people had died on the road.
Police Minister Mark Mitchell has confirmed Richard Chambers will be the new Police Commissioner. Video / Mark Mitchell