Teens die in car smash

Two young men are dead after a two-car smash on State Highway 33 last night.

The 17-year-olds from Mt Maunganui died when the car they were travelling towards Rotorua in, collided with a 4WD heading in the opposite direction about 6.45pm near Paengaroa.

The driver of the 4WD was taken to Tauranga Hospital with moderate injuries.

State Highway 33 at Paengaroa was blocked until 10.30pm.

The accident follows another smash in the Bay of Plenty less than three weeks ago, where three young people were killed when their vehicle ploughed head on in to a bus on State Highway 1 near Taupo.

The victims, Richard Kurian, 13, the driver Anuj Antony, 16, and his brother Anjo Antony, 21, died instantly in the crash, which happened when they were on their way home to Hamilton from a trip to the Hawke's Bay.

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)