A South Taranaki woman died this morning after being badly burnt when her ute burst into flames last night.
Shirley Ann Dunlop, 50, died in hospital with her family at her side at 6.40am, Acting Senior Sergeant Thomas McIntyre said.
"They're very upset obviously."
Ms Dunlop suffered burns to 90 per cent of her body and died from her injuries, he told NZPA.
Her ute caught fire while she was driving along rural Puniho Rd, southwest of New Plymouth just before 10pm.
Ms Dunlop managed to escape from the burning vehicle and walked about 80m before collapsing.
She was found by a local farmer and taken to Taranaki Base Hospital in a critical condition.
Mr McIntyre said police did not yet know how the fire started and were investigating with fire safety officers.
The coroner had also been notified.
The ute was gutted by the fire.
- NZPA
Woman who died when ute caught fire named
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