Please attribute to Senior Sergeant Fane Troy, Bay of Plenty Road Policing
A young child has died following a serious crash on the Desert Rd (SH1) this afternoon.
Police at the scene have now established that the crash involved two cars and two truck-trailer units.
It happened in the south-bound lane.
Three people were taken to Waikato Hospital by helicopter in a critical condition.
Another person with moderate injuries was taken by ambulance to Whanganui Hospital.
The gender and age of the deceased, and that of the injured, are not available to be released until all next of kin are informed.
It will take some time for Police to contact them as some of the family members are overseas.
The Serious Crash Unit and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Team are investigating.
The Desert Rd remains closed. The status of the road closure can be found here on the NZTA website.
ENDS
Police Media Centre