Three people have died in crashes overnight in Waikato and Auckland, while police are appealing for information about two others in Invercargill and Hawke’s Bay.
One person died after a two-vehicle crash involving a motorbike and a car in Morrinsville. Police said the crash on Coronation Rd was reported around 6.50pm.
A person also died following a single vehicle crash on Ohaupo Rd, south of Hamilton. Police were called to that crash just after 10pm.
In the early hours of Sunday morning, a motorcyclist died following a two-vehicle crash in the south Auckland suburb of Clendon Park.
Emergency services were called to the crash involving a ute and a motorbike about 2.50am on Roscommon Rd. The motorcyclist has since died, police said.
The Serious Crash Unit has conducted scene examinations and enquiries into the circumstances of the crashes were underway.
Two other crashes, one in Invercargill and another in Hawke’s Bay, led to life-threatening and serious injuries. Police are appealing to the public for information on both crashes.
Invercargill driver fled before crash — police
Three people were injured after a car fleeing from police collided with another vehicle in Invercargill, according to Southern District Commander Superintendent Jason Guthrie.
He said officers attempted to stop a vehicle in Venus St, Georgetown at about 1.40am.
The driver failed to stop, with officers “not engaging in a pursuit due to the manner of driving,” Guthrie said.
“A short time later the vehicle travelled through the intersection of Janet and Ness streets, colliding with another vehicle and causing damage to a property.
“One occupant of the fleeing vehicle has sustained critical injuries, and the other has sustained serious injuries. An occupant from the other vehicle has also sustained critical injuries, and another sustained minor injuries.”
The road was closed as police staff examined the crash scene.
“Motorists are asked to avoid the area unless you are a resident.”
The incident has been referred to the Independent Police Conduct Authority. Police urged anyone who might have witnessed the incident or had video to contact authorities.
Three-car crash on Hawke’s Bay Expressway
A major crash on the Hawke’s Bay Expressway left two people critically injured and the driver of another vehicle with serious injuries overnight.
Emergency services were called part of State Highway 2, at about 11.35pm last night, with police saying several individuals involved fled the crash site.
“The occupants from one of the vehicles fled the scene and have not yet been located. It is believed they were picked up by another vehicle beyond the crash scene,” police said.
“Police would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the crash, or who has information that might assist our enquiries.
“We’d especially like to hear from anyone who has dashcam footage from around the time of the incident, which may have captured a white Mazda 6 station wagon or a green Ford Falcon travelling south on the expressway.”
