Teen dies after car crashes into ditch

The dead teenager was a rear-seat passenger.

Inspector Paul Jermy said it appeared both drivers were speeding when they lost control while swerving to avoid a cyclist.

One of the cars left the road, crashed into a fence and landed in a drain.

The cyclist was not hurt. The driver of the car that went into the drain had minor injuries. It was unclear this morning how many people were in the other car, or if they were hurt.

Constable Grant Taylor, from Ohakea, who was at the scene, said what the car's occupants were doing had not yet been established.

The crash was about 300m on the Gillespie's Line side of the intersection between Flygers Line and Rangitikei Line.

The serious crash unit is investigating, and police are withholding the dead teen's name until next of kin have been notified.