Woman dies in crash near Whangarei

File photo / Martin Sykes

A 53-year-old woman died this morning when she lost control of her vehicle and plunged in the Ngunguru River near Whangarei.

Emergency services were called to the crash on Ngunguru Road near Scows Landing around 8.10am.

Whangarei police sergeant John Fagan said passing motorists attempted to rescue the woman from the vehicle but were unable to.

A truck driver with a hiab hoist pulled the vehicle from the water and the woman was removed from the vehicle. People performed CPR on the woman but were unable to resuscitate her, Mr Fagan said.

"Police would like to commend the courageous efforts of the passing motorists and the truck driver," he said.

Police will not be releasing the victim's name until all family members have been advised.

- NZ Herald staff