One person has died following a single-vehicle crash in Northland yesterday afternoon — the first fatality of the King's Birthday weekend period.
The car collided with a tree on Te Pua Rd near State Highway 1, Kaihoke, with the crash reported around 5.30pm on Saturday.
"Despite the best effort of emergency services, the person died at the scene," a police spokesperson said.
The Serious Crash Unit attended and diversions were put in place.
"Inquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing," police said.
Fire and Emergency NZ responded to the crash with two fire trucks. Hato Hone St Joh responded with two ambulances. "Our crews were not required for transportation," a spokesperson said.
The King's Birthday weekend road toll period began at 4pm on Friday and ends at 6am next Tuesday.
The highest road toll in recent years occurred in 2016, when 11 people were killed in crashes over King's Birthday weekend across New Zealand's roading network.
Horror week began with multiple deaths on Tuesday
Five people were killed in a head-on crash in Waikato earlier this week.
The crash occurred before 5pm on Tuesday on State Highway 3 between Te Awamutu and Hamilton, police said.
Waikato road policing manager Inspector Jeff Penno said three occupants of one vehicle and two occupants of the other vehicle all died at the scene.
"To lose five lives in these circumstances is heartbreaking, and our thoughts go out to all the families affected."
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