Police name driver who died in Kopu head-on crash as Raymond Stewart Bruce of Tairua

Police have released the name of the driver who died when his car collided with another near Kopu yesterday. Photo / Christine Cornege.

Police have named the man who was killed in a crash on State Highway 25 at Kopu yesterday as 76-year-old Raymond Stewart Bruce of Tairua.

Bruce was driving one of two vehicles which collided head-on yesterday afternoon just west of the Kopu Bridge near Thames.

The other driver, a young woman, remains in a critical condition.

Police believed a silver station wagon travelling west from Thames crossed the centre line and collided head-on with a green four wheel drive being driven by Bruce.

The crash happened about 1.25pm.

Bruce's death came within 20 minutes of another crash in the area when four members of one family were injured - two badly - when their car careened down a hill on the Kopu-Hikuai Rd, also near Thames.

Police believe driver fatigue may have been a factor in that crash, according to Fairfax.

Waikato District Road Policing Manager, Inspector Freda Grace, said Police extended their sympathies to the family and friends of Bruce.

"Every fatal crash leaves families and communities suffering. The impacts are far reaching and we urge the motoring public to think of their loved ones every time they get behind the wheel.

"All drivers should adopt the view that road safety is everyone's responsibility. We all want to be safe and feel safe; so ensure you are a responsible driver."

The investigation into the crash is ongoing.