Woman who died after falling in ditch named

Police have named the Mt Maunganui woman who died after spending at least three hours lying in a roadside ditch.

Tina Peene, 50, was found severely hypothermic lying on the side of State Highway 2 between Tauranga and Mt Maunganui, early on Sunday.

She was taken to Tauranga Hospital, but died a short time later.

It was believed Ms Peene had been drinking when she got out of a car for a toilet stop, climbed over the metal crash barrier and fell into the ditch.

The couple travelling with the woman were unable to get her out and called for an ambulance about 2am.

However, despite a number of trips along the 7km stretch of road, St John staff were unable to find them.

They contacted police, who found the woman about 5.10am.

- NZPA