Two men have been killed in a road crash on the Desert Road north of Waiouru this morning.
The crash happened around 7.45am when a Toyota sedan car travelling south collided with a truck and trailer unit heading north.
Two men, believed to be in their 20s from the Auckland area, were in the Toyota and both died at the scene. The truck driver from Palmerston North, age unknown at this time, was unhurt.
SH1 between Waiouru and Rangipo remains closed and is expected to re-open around 3pm this afternoon.
The cause of the crash is under investigation by the Serious Crash Investigation Unit. The conditions on the road this morning were cold and icy but it is too early to say whether this was a factor in the crash.
The names of the men will not be released until next of kin have been traced and informed.
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kim Perks on 027 234 8256.