Police investigating the death of a teenager in a car crash yesterday are appealing for witnesses to the crash and sightings of the car prior to the crash.
The incident happened around 5.35 yesterday afternoon (Thursday, 2 July). A white Ford Falcon containing four teenagers was travelling north on SH3 away from Hawera and towards Eltham when it appears to have lost control coming out of an overtake, and then collided with a bank before rolling into a paddock.
The female driver aged 17, the male front passenger, aged 17, and a female rear passenger, aged 15, all received minor injuries. They are all from the Stratford area and were treated at Taranaki Base Hospital with only the two 17-year-olds being kept in overnight for observation.
The other rear seat passenger, a girl aged 15 from Hawera, was airlifted to Taranaki Base Hospital in a critical condition and sadly died around 11pm. She had been thrown from the vehicle and it is suspected that she was not wearing a seatbelt.
A scene examination is underway and the cause of the crash is being investigated by the Serious Crash Investigation Unit.
Police are not in a position at this stage to name the deceased as not all next of kin have been traced and notified.
The crash happened near Rotokare Road and police want to hear from anyone who saw the crash, or anyone who saw the Ford Falcon prior to the crash from about 5pm. Anyone with information is asked to contact Stratford Police on 06 765 8860.
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kim Perks on 06 351 2546 or 027 234 8256.