Boy in river crash among four road deaths

'It was an incredibly traumatic incident'

Police have named a boy who died after the car he was in crashed into the Whanganui River last night - despite brave attempts to save him.

He was Silva Natana Horton, 13, one of three people killed on the country's roads so far this weekend.

His mother, 35, who had been driving, and a 14-year-old friend of Silva managed to escape after the car plunged into the river from Somme Parade about 9.45pm.

Police and fire officers fought to rescue the boy , who had been sitting in the front seat, but were tragically unable to save him, Sergeant Andrew McDonald of Wanganui police said.

"It was an incredibly traumatic incident for everyone involved.

"Police officers in uniform were diving in to try to reach the boy and fire officers were doing the same trying to hook a rope around the vehicle to pull it within easier reach. At the same we had staff trying to comfort his distraught family on the river bank."

Two local divers eventually reached the vehicle, which had sunk in about 4.5 metres of water, but it was too late to save Silva, Mr McDonald said.

The boy's mother and brother were treated for shock and minor injuries and had since been discharged from hospital.

Police were investigating the cause of the crash and wanted to hear from witnesses. Neither alcohol nor speed was suspected at this stage, Mr McDonald said.

Meanwhile, a 47-year-old woman died after her car rolled and caught fire on straight piece of road in Kirwee, 37km west of Christchurch, about 4am today, police said.

It was ablaze when emergency services arrived.

The woman, from Kirwee, was the only person in the car, said Constable David Pitkethley of Darfield police.

It was not known whether she was killed in the crash or by the fire.

A nother person was killed in a two-car crash on SH33 at Okere Falls, 20km northeast of Rotorua, about 5pm yesterday.

It appeared the driver of one vehicle lost control on a corner and crossed the centre line, colliding with a 4WD towing a boat, police said.

The driver of the first vehicle, the sole occupant, died at the scene.

Two adults and two children in the other vehicle were taken to hospital with moderate injuries.

- NZPA