A horrific road crash that claimed the lives of two people has pushed Northland's road death toll to seven so far this year.
The accident happened on a straight stretch of road on State Highway 1 at Hukerenui, 30km north-west of Whangarei, about 4.45pm.
A north-bound car collided head-on with a hi-ab commercial truck heading south before both vehicles ended up in a ditch about 100m from the Jack Morgan Museum.
The driver of the car and his front seat passenger - both males - died at the scene while the truck driver was not hurt.
Northland police road policing manager, Inspector Wayne Ewers, said the truck's front wheels came off while the car was a write-off.