*"Holiday weekend off to tragic start following Waikato fatality"*

Waikato Police are warning motorists heading towards Whitianga this evening to expect significant delays following a head on collision at Whenuakite this evening.

District Road Policing Manager, Inspector Freda Grace, said emergency services were called to the scene of the crash on SH25 about 6.30pm.

"The Serious Crash Unit will be conducting an investigation into what caused the crash however at this stage initial indications are a campervan has collided head on with a 4x4 vehicle resulting in one person travelling as a passenger in the 4x4 losing their life.

"The driver of the 4x4 suffered serious injuries and has been flown to Auckland Hospital by helicopter while the two occupants of the campervan have been taken by ambulance to Thames Hospital."

Mrs Grace said it is expected SH25 into Whitianga will be closed for at least four hours however motorists can still access Cooks Beach and Hahei.

"North bound traffic is being diverted off on to the Tapu-Coroglen Rd to allow access into Whitianga from Coromandel.

"With the official holiday period only three hours old this tragedy really brings home the need for drivers to ensure both they, and their vehicles are fit for the road. With rain forecast its really important people drive to the conditions to ensure we all make it through to Monday."

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