Fatal vehicle crash in Northland District, 3:30pm 1 May

At approximately 3:30pm this afternoon there was a fatal, single vehicle crash on a remote part of 90 mile beach north of Hukatere.

A Nissan Navara with three passengers was travelling north along the beach towards a well known fishing spot. The tide was high and the vehicle appears to have been caught in a sweep causing it to aquaplane and roll.

Alcohol and the condition of the vehicle did not appear to have been a factor.

The driver of the vehicle Thomas Walker aged 27 years died at the scene.

One passenger was transported to the Whangarei Hospital by Helicopter with moderate injuries, the third passenger was unhurt.