Police have now confirmed that two men died in a crash on the Desert Road this morning.
The two were going south in a Toyota sedan between Waiouru and Rangipo when they collided with a truck and trailer unit travelling north at around 7.45am.
They were believed to be in their 20s and from the Auckland area. Police will not release the names of the men until next of kin have been traced and informed.
The driver of the truck, from Palmerston North, was unhurt.
The Desert Road remains closed, but is likely to reopen in the next hour. Diversions along the west side of Tongariro National Park are in place.
