Five people have died in a crash in Waikato this evening, which has forced the closure of State Highway 3.
A police spokesperson said the two-vehicle crash was reported at 4.44pm near Te Awamutu.
Waikato road policing manager Inspector Jeff Penno confirmed the multiple fatalities.
“Sadly at this stage, five people have lost their lives in this head-on crash,” he said.
“This is a tragic incident.”
Waipā District Mayor Susan O’Regan said the crash’s impact of a crash like this on a small community was “difficult to put into words”.
“It’s just gut-wrenching,” O’Regan said.
She told Newstalk ZB there would be an “obvious ripple” through the tight-knit community, especially if the victims are locals.
“Everybody’s connected, everybody will be impacted.”
Police confirmed the three occupants of one vehicle and two occupants of the other vehicle all died at the scene.
“To lose five lives in these circumstances is heartbreaking, and our thoughts go out to all the families affected,” Penno said.
“Emergency services are still working through the scene, just making sure we collect all the evidence to understand what has happened in this horrific crash.
“This is a high-volume road and at that time of day it is quite busy, but we understand the conditions to be dry and the weather was fine albeit getting slowly darker. Obviously, we will look at all causes and anything that contributed to this horrendous crash.”
Penno said the Serious Crash Unit was currently conducting its scene investigation.
“There is a large scene we need to work through and our priority at the moment is understanding what has occurred to cause this tragedy,” Penno said.
”We are also making sure that support is provided to those who need it.”
NZ Police also supplied an image of the crash scene to media. They had cordoned off SH3 some distance from the crash site.
A Hato Hone St John spokesperson confirmed they were at the scene.
SH3 has been closed between Jary Rd and Ngaroto Rd.
Motorists have been advised to avoid the area and to expect delays. Detours are also in place.
Local Taranaki-King Country MP Barbara Kuriger told the Herald this kind of news was every person’s worst nightmare.
“It’s going to be a tough road ahead for the families and it’s awful news for the community,” she said.
Kuriger said a lot of people in the community would need support after the incident and she would “absolutely” provide it to the affected families.
“This is devastating,” she said.
Kuriger said it was the second fatal crash in less than a week in the district.
“It’s tough out there ... please keep your eyes on the road.”
Waipā District councillor Bruce Thomas told the Herald the accident happened on a safe piece of road.
“It should never have happened ... it’s pretty bad,” Thomas said.
“It’s pretty tragic, any loss of life.”
Thomas said local councillor James Parlane passed away on Friday following a crash between a car and a truck.
“I did know James because I was in council with him and I only saw him a few weeks ago when he submitted,” Thomas said.
Police confirmed 61-year-old Parlane died in the Ōhaupō Rd crash on SH3 between Airport Rd and Douch Rd on Friday.
A police spokesperson said the crash was reported at about 1.50pm that day. ”A truck and a car have collided,” the spokesperson told the Waikato Herald.
The spokesperson said the car involved was a Land Rover possibly carrying rubbish. Debris had spilled onto the road, which was blocked, the spokesperson said.
Benjamin Plummer is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. He has worked for the Herald since 2022.
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