Ute driver killed in BOP crash named

File photo / NZ Herald

A man who died after a ute crashed in northern Bay of Plenty on Thursday night has been named by police.

He was Wayne Connelly, 50 of Athenree, 14km southeast of Waihi.

Waikato police investigating the crash in the Athenree Gorge are awaiting toxicology results to determine if alcohol played any part in the accident.

District road policing manager Inspector Leo Tooman said the ute rolled two or three times across State Highway 2.

Mr Connelly died at the scene while a front seat passenger was taken by ambulance to Waikato Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

"The crash is still under investigation by the Waikato serious crash unit. Speed does not appear to have been a factor in the crash and both occupants were wearing seatbelts," Mr Tooman added.

- NZPA