Speed behind fatal bridge crash - police

The car is lifted from the scene of the crash on Chapel Rd. Screengrab / Murray Job

A high-speed crash which killed two young men in South Auckland last night showed why it was vital to keep road speeds down, police say.

The men, aged 20 and 22, died instantly when their Toyota car slammed into a bridge abutment near Manukau City about 9.15pm last night.

The car was estimated to be travelling at 130km/h in a 70km/h area on Chapel Rd, said Constable Steve Shaskey from the Manukau Serious Crash Unit.

He said the diver came over a slight hill and must have realised he would not get around a relatively easy bend ahead.

When he put on the brakes the wheels locked and the car crashed head on into the bridge.

"There is about 42 odd metres of skid marks prior to the bridge so he certainly did brake," Mr Shaskey said.

Neither man was believed to have been wearing a seat belt.

"It wouldn't have made any difference anyway."

Mr Shaskey the crash showed why drivers should keep their speed down.

The names of the dead men would not be released until after relatives had been told.

- NZPA