Woman dies after van goes down bank

A woman died but her partner and eight children escaped unharmed when a van crashed down a bank north of Rata in Rangitikei early today.

The police serious crash team is investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash, which happened on State Highway One shortly before 2am, about 9km southeast of Hunterville.

Inspector Paul Jermy, of police central communications, said the van contained a couple and their eight children.

The 35-year-old woman, who was a front seat passenger, was killed while her children and partner escaped uninjured.

No other vehicles were involved in the crash.

- NZPA