Speed a factor in two overnight Waikato fatals

Waikato Police bracing for a busy holiday weekend on the region's roads say analysis of two separate fatal road crashes overnight leave some chilling warnings, particularly speed kills.

District Road Policing Manager, Inspector Leo Tooman, said in the first crash, which happened on Waring Rd Taupiri about 5.40pm, initial indications are speed was a significant contributing factor.

"Emergency services were called to the scene and arrived to find the 42-year-old Auckland driver deceased.

"It appears his silver Porsche Boxster convertible car has been travelling at speed when it has left the road, gone down a bank and crashed through a number of trees before coming to rest in a paddock, the man died at the scene."

Meanwhile Police investigating a second fatal crash which occurred on a hill on SH3 on Hamilton's southern outskirts about 6.22pm are working to establish if the crash is linked to reports of vehicles racing in the area shortly before the crash.

"At about 6.20pm a 111 call was received in relation to two southbound vehicles, a blue Subaru Legacy and a white Honda Civic being driven at high speed towards Ohaupo.

"Then at 6.22pm a blue Subaru car has crossed the centreline into the path of a northbound Mitsubishi saloon being driven by a man on his way home from the airport. A 32-year-old male travelling as a front seat passenger in the Subaru was killed in the collision."

Mr Tooman said it was too early to confirm if the earlier reports of the two vehicles racing was linked to the crash however Police were interviewing the drivers of both cars as well as the innocent driver of the third vehicle.

"Both crashes are being investigated by the Waikato Serious Crash Unit and initial indications point to speed being contributing factors in both.

"The official holiday period begins at 4pm today and we can expect a combination of higher than usual traffic flows at the same time as varied weather conditions. We want people out on Waikato roads to drive to survive and avoiding excessive speed will play a major part in this, this Labour Weekend."