A man has died in a single vehicle crash on State Highway 49, Ruapehu in the early hours of this morning (Tuesday 7 October, 2014).
Emergency services were called to the crash which occurred at approximately 3:20am, however the driver, a man aged 59, was pronounced dead at the scene. He was the only occupant in the vehicle.
Preliminary indications suggest the vehicle veered off the road as it came to a slight bend before colliding with a tree.
The vehicle was travelling in the direction of Waiouru and was approximately 3 kilometres away from there when it crashed.
It had been snowing and hailing overnight to early morning but it is unclear at this stage if the weather was one of the factors that led to the crash.
The road was closed down to one lane after the crash for about an hour but is now fully open.
Police urge motorists to be cautious when travelling through the Central Plateau and to be mindful of the conditions.
Police will not release any further details about the man until formal identification is complete and next of kin has been informed.
ENDS
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Sara Stavropoulos on 027 702 0850.