The names of three Poverty Bay teenagers killed when the car they were travelling in collided with a utility on SH2 at Maramarua on Tuesday night have been released.
They were 18-year-old women Mary Jane Jo Vanna KINGI-TE PUREI and Tiata Te Arohanui
MAXWELL and 18-year-old male, Te Maungarongo Te Kuiri KINGI, all of Gisborne.
The group left Gisborne earlier in the day intending to travel to South Auckland but about 8.10pm it appears the driver of the trio's westbound Ford Probe lost control on a slight bend and the car spun into the path of an eastbound Ford Courier, seriously injuring the male driver.
The deaths have been reported to the Coroner.
Waikato Police commenced an investigation into the crash on Tuesday night led by the Serious Crash Unit.
That investigation will continue today with SH2 closed from 10am until 12.30pm to allow a scene survey to be conducted.
A press conference will be held at the scene from 10.30am with media intending to attend asked to register and assemble at the Pink Pig cafe.
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