Woman dead after four-vehicle smash in Taranaki

File photo / NZ Herald

A woman is dead and another seriously injured after a four-vehicle collision in Taranaki this morning.

Emergency services were called after two northbound vehicles and two southbound vehicles collided on State Highway 45 in Okaiawa about 10.30am, police said.

A female passenger in one of the southbound vehicles died at the scene, while the female driver was airlifted by rescue helicopter to hospital in a serious condition.

The male driver and female passenger in the second southbound vehicle were assessed by ambulance staff at the scene, and the passenger was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

The female driver of the first northbound was also airlifted to hospital with minor injuries.

The occupants of the second northbound vehicle were uninjured, but the driver was taken to hospital by ambulance to be assessed.

Police said it was unknown what caused the crash at this stage, and the serious crash unit was investigating.

Officers were still speaking to witnesses and a scene examination was being conducted.

The crash was the second road fatality in Taranaki in as many days.

Te Kuiti man George Crombie, 60, died when the car he was driving collided with an Intercity bus on State Highway 3 at Awakino about 12.30pm yesterday.

Police have urged motorists travelling through Taranaki to take extra care on the roads and be vigilant of the conditions and other road users.