One dead, eight injured in car crash near Whangarei

TIM O'CONNELL/STUFF

Ambulances took the injured people to hospital. (File photo)

One person died and eight were injured in a car crash south of Whangarei early on Sunday morning.

Police said two vehicles collided in Puwera on State Highway 1 about 3am.

The driver, and sole occupant, of one car died at the scene.

There were eight people in the other vehicle, five of whom received serious to moderate injuries. They were taken to hospital by ambulance.

The three other occupants had minor injuries, and were taken to hospital for medical assessment.

The Serious Crash Unit was investigating.