One person dies in single-vehicle crash near Morrinsville

A person died at the scene of a single-vehicle crash in Tatuanui on Tuesday morning. The crash occurred near the intersection of State Highway 26 and State Highway 27 just before 5am. Fire and Emergency shift manager Colin Underwood stated that a car had hit a tree.

State Highway 26 is closed between State Highway 27 and Murray Road. The Serious Crash Unit is expected to conduct a scene examination, and the highway is likely to remain closed near the intersection. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.

A detour is currently in place via State Highway 27. Two fire crews from Morrinsville attended the scene. While St John sent one ambulance to the location, they reported that no-one required transport.

This incident follows a crash on Sunday night near Matamata involving a motorbike and another vehicle. That crash, which occurred near the corner of State Highway 29 and Pond Road, resulted in two deaths.

How it developed

• Tue 13 Oct, 7:41amReport 3 clarifies that one person died at the scene and that St John sent an ambulance but no transport was required.
• Tue 13 Oct, 8:57amReport 4 confirms the driver died at the scene and the crash was reported just before 5am.

Where reports differ

• Initial reports indicated serious injuries, but later reports confirmed the sole occupant died at the scene.

Compiled from reports by Stuff, NZ Herald, Waikato Times and RNZ.