KEY POINTS:
Motorists pulled four people to safety from a burning van after a fiery collision in which one person was killed and four others, including a young child, were badly injured last night.
The accident happened in Karaka when an east-bound car that was overtaking and the van collided on Karaka Rd, near Blackbridge Rd.
Police say both vehicles caught fire on impact. Members of the public were unable to help the driver of the car.
"People were unable to save the driver of the car involved due to the ferocity of the fire, which rapidly engulfed it," said Senior Sergeant Shawn Rutene.
St John Communication Centre acting team manager Charlie Bougher said three people were taken to Middlemore Hospital in a serious condition, and a fourth was in a moderate condition.
One of the injured was a 4-year-old child, and it was believed two others were teenagers. The ages of the fourth victim and the deceased driver were not available.
Mr Rutene praised the motorists who were first on the scene, saying without their prompt actions there would have "undoubtedly been further deaths".
