A 22-year-old man is dead and three others seriously injured after an overloaded car lost control and landed in a ditch in Dargaville early this morning.
Police said the Subaru sedan carrying seven passengers lost control on a moderate S-bend on Pouto Rd in Aoroa, south of Dargaville, about 1.35am.
The car landed on its roof in a deep ditch at the side of the road.
Alcohol and speed were believed to be contributing factors.
A 22-year-old local man died at the scene.
Three male passengers with serious injuries were airlifted to Northland Base Hospital. Another three males with moderate injuries were taken to Dargaville by ambulance.
Police said the weather at the time of the crash was fine, the road was dry and the traffic was light.
