Six killed on roads overnight

Six people have died in three crashes on roads overnight, including a campervan crash in Canterbury.

Police were advised just after 1am today that a campervan had collided with a barrier in Te Moana Rd (off State Highway 79) and caught fire near Geraldine.

All three occupants of the campervan were killed, police said.

SH79 between the Earl Rd and Brenton Rd intersections had been closed but the road has reopened, Waka Kotahi/NZ Transport Agency tweeted at 6.50am.

The crash occurred on a rural stretch of road only a few minutes’ drive from the town centre.

The nearest property to the crash site is a Park Over Property, where up to 35 campervans and mobile homes park overnight during their commutes, The New Zealand Herald reported.

Owner Sue was woken by her dog barking as red emergency vehicle lights could be seen through  her bedroom window about 40 minutes after the campervan hit the railing.

Sue said the intersection had a history of crashes due to the nature of the road.

“We tell our campers to be careful at that intersection,” she said.

State Highway 79 has cars travelling in excess of 100km/h. Cars would turn off or into Te Moana Rd and often collide with other vehicles, or lose traction in the process, she said.

She mentioned three significant crashes in the last 18 months right outside her property.

”The road is too fast for a major junction,” she said reflecting on past incidents.

She said traffic would commonly turn on to Te Moana Road to head for Barkers Factory. "It’s unlikely a campervan was headed for this destination.”

Meanwhile, two people have did after two vehicles crashed on the Waikato Expressway, State Highway 1,  about 4am.

Police said it appeared that one of the cars was travelling the wrong way and the drivers of both cars died at the scene.

Waka Kotahi said the expressway is closed in both directions between Rangiriri (Glen Murray Rd) and Te Kauwhata (Rodda Rd).

A diversions is in place.

One person has died after a crash on Baylys Coast Rd in Dargaville.

Police said a car appeared to have collided with a tree early this morning.

The driver died at the scene.

The road is expected to remain closed for several hours and diversions are in place.

- RNZ and NZ Herald