Woman dies in car river plunge

A 20-year-old woman died after a car crashed through a guard rail on a bridge and plunged into a river in a remote area of the Rangitikei district last night.

The car crashed off Turakina Valley Rd into the Turakina River, near Hunterville, about 9pm.

Police said a preliminary examination suggested the driver, the car's sole occupant, failed to negotiate a right-hand bend before crashing into the guard rail.

No other vehicles were involved in the crash.

Wanganui police and the Fire Service attended the scene following reports a car was underwater, and the police national dive squad was en route from Wellington last night.

A body has now been recovered from the car, police have confirmed.

The police serious crash unit was investigating, and the death has been referred to the coroner.

Police would not release any further details about the woman until her next of kin had been informed.

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