It has been a dark day on New Zealand roads, with three fatal crashes claiming at least five lives.
A number of people are dead after a fiery vehicle crash in the Bay of Plenty tonight.
One of the vehicles was engulfed in flames and it was not yet known how many people have died, police said.
A statement from police said the incident on State Highway 2 at Te Puna was a "multiple fatality" crash.
Emergency services were informed of the crash at 7.35pm.
"Further comment on the number of fatalities will be made when verified," police said.
SH2 in the vicinity of the crash scene is closed, diversions are in place at SH2 and Snodgrass Roads (Southbound traffic), and SH2 and Te Puna Roads (Northbound traffic).
Motorist were advised to avoid the locality, or to delay travel.
Three people were killed in a crash at the intersection of State Highway 3 and Williamson Line, near Marton, about 4pm.
Police said it appeared two vehicles collided head-on.
One vehicle, a blue Holden which was towing a trailer, had five occupants. The other car, a silver Mazda, had two.
Two of those in Holden - A 41-year-old woman and her 14-year-old son, both of Wanganui - died at the scene and three others have been taken to Palmerston North Hospital with moderate injuries.
One occupant of the Mazda - A 69-year-old woman from Palmerston North - died in Palmerston North Hospital from her injuries. The other remains in hospital.
Early this morning, one person died when a car hit a tree on the Clevedon-Kawakawa Road, Clevedon.
A passenger in the car died at the scene and the driver has suffered serious injuries.
The serious crash unit is investigating the cause.
- additional reporting NZME
