The police dive squad is due to arrive in Wairoa this evening to search for two people believed trapped in a car that plunged into the Mohaka River around 2.40pm today.
Four males, all from Wairoa, were in the car that left the road near the top of a hill not far from the Mohaka Viaduct. The car plunged about 150m down a bank and into the Mohaka River below. One person is confirmed dead while another was taken by ambulance to Wairoa Hospital with moderate injuries. The Lower rescue helicopter had to airlift the man from the riverbank up to the road so he could receive medical attention.
Two others are believed trapped in the car. The police dive squad will begin a search for them when they arrive at the scene.
The four men in the car were all Mongrel Mob members on their way to the gang's 50th anniversary celebrations in Hastings taking place this weekend.
The Fire Service's rope rescue team was called in to help emergency services reach the vehicle.
Police know the identify of all those in the car but their names have not yet been released.
In another crash in the region, a male motorcyclist was killed around 3.30pm today when his bike collided with a car at Te Haroto on SH5, halfway between Napier and Taupo. The man's identity is not known at the moment and investigations are continuing into the crash.
The police Serious Crash Unit is investigating both crashes.
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