Six people including a newborn baby have died and two have life-threatening injuries after a head-on collision on SH3 in Waverley in South Taranaki.
Four elderly people were in a car heading north, while two adults, an 8-year-old girl and a newborn baby were in a car heading south.
The occupants of the northbound car died on or shortly after impact, while the male driver of the southbound car and the newborn baby died at the scene.
A woman who was the front seat passenger in the southbound car has been flown to Wellington Hospital in a critical condition, while the 8-year-old girl has been taken to Waikato Hospital and also has critical injuries.
The crash happened at a slight right-hand bend of the road at 11:11am on Wednesday morning. Police say the conditions were dry and clear at the time.
SH3 is closed and is expected to reopen before dark on Wednesday evening.
South Taranaki District Mayor Ross Dunlop says it's a huge tragedy for the community and his heart goes out to the families involved.
The Serious Crash Unit is investigating.
Newshub.
