One person has died and two have been injured after a crash in central Auckland this afternoon.
Police say a car hit a tree on Ian McKinnon Drive near Dominion Rd around midday.
The Fire Service worked for half an hour to free those trapped in the crash. The two injured were taken by ambulance to Auckland City Hospital.
One person died at the scene.
Road closures were likely in the area, and the Serious Crash Unit has been called to investigate.
Golf Warehouse employee Chase Hamlet said they heard the crash from the store, on nearby Newton Rd.
"There were a couple of claps, like 'boom, boom, boom', it sounded really serious," he said. "We went down to have a look and the car had severed a tree right in half."
Mr Hamlet said the car, an older Holden, was badly damaged, particularly on the passenger's side. It had been heading up the hill towards Upper Queen St, but had crossed the centre line to hit the tree, he said.
"There was a lot of carnage. But emergency services were there straight away, they were really fast."
Ian McKinnon drive is blocked off.
The death brings the road toll for the year to 18, compared to 14 this time last year.
