The holiday road toll now stands at five following two fatal crashes this afternoon.
The first incident occurred on Rakau Road, Reporoa, north east of Taupo at around 1.30pm. A ute driven by a 15-year-old with two young people on the back left the road and rolled. One of the passengers on the back – a 16-year-old male – was killed instantly. Families are being notified by Police. No other vehicle is believed to have been involved.
In the second incident a motorcyclist was killed in a collision with a car on a gravel road off SH4, north of Whanganui. Next of kin are still being notified and the identity of the motorcyclist will not be released until this process is completed.
Exact details of these crashes are still to be confirmed and Police are investigating both incidents.
Superintendent Paula Rose, National Manager Road Policing, urged everyone to think carefully while on the roads:
“The choices we make can be life or death ones – so lets think about ourselsves and other people.
“Two of the fatal crashes so far this holiday season have involved the tragic loss of young lives and this hits us all in the community.
“We want every journey to be a safe journey for everyone.”
ENDS
Editors note:
The official holiday road toll runs from 4pm on Friday 24 December 2010 until 6am Wednesday 5 January 2011.
Last year 13 people lost their lives on the roads during the holiday period.
PNHQ media pager: 026 101 082