State Highway Two, Papatawa

 

Emergency services are in attendance at the scene of a fatal crash.

The vehicle, a small saloon, was travelling West on State Highway Two from Dannevirke towards Palmerston North. The vehicle has approached a sweeping right hand bend and the driver has lost control and crashed into the side barriers of a rail over-bridge at Papatawa.

There were three occupants in the vehicle, two females and the male driver.

One of the female passengers was ejected from the vehicle by the force of the impact and has suffered major injuries; the second female passenger was fatally injured and died at the scene, the male received minor injuries and is being spoken to by Police.

There were no other vehicles were involved in the incident.

Initial enquiries identify that alcohol and speed were a factor.

State Highway Two is closed at the scene to allow emergency services to deal with the incident and a diversion is in place around Hopelands, Jackson and Gaisford Rd.

The name of the deceased will not be released until next of kin have been advised.