Three die on roads during long weekend

The Queen's Birthday holiday weekend road toll stands at three, after the discovery of a crashed car near Te Puke early today.

About 5.20am a security patrol found a car that had left State Highway 2 at Manoeka, near Te Puke, Inspector Kerry Watson, of the police northern communications centre, said in a statement.

One person was dead and two people were reported to be trapped in the vehicle. The extent of their injuries was not available early today.

The highway was closed until shortly before 8am.

On Sunday, Samuel Thorpe, 20, of Hokitika died after his car crashed just outside the town. He was the only person in the vehicle which is thought to have crashed between 5am and 8am.

Police said a passerby had come across the crash site about 8.25am. Police found the vehicle on its roof and Mr Thorpe already dead.

Sergeant David Cross, of Hokitika police, said early indications were that speed may have been a factor in the crash. It was believed Mr Thorpe had not been wearing a seat belt.

On Saturday, a man died following a crash near SH3 at Waitomo, Waikato, about 6.55am. The man's death was not confirmed until yesterday, and no further details were available early today.

The official holiday period ended at 6am today. The road toll for the Queen's Birthday holiday period last year was three.

- NZPA