Three killed in weekend crashes

Three people, including a mother of eight, are dead after road crashes during the weekend.

The 35-year-old mother was killed, but her partner and eight children escaped unharmed, when a van crashed down a bank near north of Rata in Rangitikei early today.

The police serious crash team is investigating the crash, which happened on State Highway One shortly before 2am, about 9km southeast of Hunterville, said Inspector Paul Jermy, of police central communications.

No other vehicles were involved in the crash.

Early on Saturday a young man was killed in a hit-and-run accident in Westport.

James Hill, 21, died after being struck by a car about 5.40am.

Mr Hill was walking home from a party when he was hit by a car allegedly driven by a 21-year-old Westport woman who had also been at the party.

Neighbours said there was thought to have been an altercation at the party, The Press reported.

Detective Duncan Bull, of Greymouth police, said reports of a fight would be investigated. However, the death was being treated as a traffic crash.

The woman had been charged with failing to stop to provide assistance and other charges were likely, he said.

Mr Bull said the woman came in to the Westport police station with a lawyer and was released on bail.

The woman is due to appear in Westport District Court tomorrow.

Meanwhile police have still not named an Australian tourist who died after crashing into a parked vehicle in Rotorua about 4pm on Friday.

Rotorua Senior Sergeant Brent Crowe said the vehicles collided at low speed and police were investigating whether the tourist had a pre-existing medical condition that could have contributed to the crash.

- NZPA