Woman dies after car hits fence

A woman was killed when the car she was driving ran off the road and hit a fence near Ashburton this morning but her female passenger was unhurt.

Police said it appeared the southbound car driven by Carolyn Faith Anstey, 47, of Ashburton, failed to take a bend on Christies Rd near Seafield, 12km east of Ashburton, and crashed into a fence about 4.50am.

Acting Sergeant Murray Thatcher, of Ashburton police, said Ms Anstey died at the scene, but her passenger escaped unscathed.

Police were investigating and would prepare a report for a coroner's inquest.

- NZPA