Two killed in head-on crash on SH1

Two men have died and a man and woman have been hospitalised after a head-on crash between a stolen Mercedes and a RAV Four on State Highway One near Warkworth this afternoon.

The crash happened in the Dome Valley, 5km west of Warkworth and about 500 metres from the Kaipara Flats turnoff about 2.15pm.

Kevin Loughlin, police northern districts communications manager, said a stolen Mercedes, with four people inside heading south, collided with the northbound RAV.

Police investigations are focussing on whether the Mercedes pulled out of traffic to overtake and collided head-on with the RAV.

Two male passengers in the Mercedes died at the scene and a third was taken to Auckland Hospital by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter. The male driver was not injured but is under observation.

The woman driver of the RAV Four was seriously injured and has been taken to hospital.

Police said a third car was also involved in the crash but its driver escaped injury.

State Highway One is expected to reopen soon.

Diversions are still in place at Highway One and Kaipara Flats for northbound traffic, and State Highways One and 16 for southbound traffic. The Serious Crash Unit is investigating the cause of the crash.

- NZHERALD STAFF