Two teenagers are dead and seven people are injured after a van and a car crashed head-on near Napier early today.
The Ford Econovan, carrying seven people aged between 16 and 19, crossed the centre-line on State Highway 50 near Taradale and collided with an oncoming car on a bridge about 2am, police said.
The van became airborne and landed upside down on the bridge railing throwing three people from the vehicle into the Tutaekuri River 15 metres below.
Two male youths were found dead in the shallows of the river and a young woman was found seriously injured a short time later further along the riverbank, said eastern road policing manager Inspector Chris Wallace.
He said one of the van occupants was in a critical condition in Hawke's Bay Hospital. Seven others were being treated there for injuries ranging to serious to moderate.
A man and a woman in the car were moderately injured.
As there was initial uncertainty about how many people were in the van, extensive searches were made on both sides of the river and the Lowe Corporation rescue helicopter used thermal imaging equipment.
Police said they were confident everyone in the van had been accounted for.
"This is a tragic incident involving a number of our young people. It's incredibly sad that lives were lost in such a way," Mr Wallace said.
"It appears this crash was avoidable -- initial reports from drivers who witnessed it indicate the van was weaving across the road."
He said speed did not appear to be a factor, but alcohol had not been ruled out.
All the teens in the van were from Hawke's Bay. The names of the dead would not be released until family have been notified.
SH50 remains closed, with diversions in place at the Meeanee and Pakowhai interchanges.
The van is still on the bridge and will be removed later in the morning.
The Serious Crash Unit is investigating.
Post your comment