A woman has been killed and four other people injured in a road crash in Waikato this evening, police say.

Emergency services were working to clear the wreckage on Old Taupiri Rd, near Ngaruawahia, where a car crashed into a fence about 6.15pm, police said.

District road policing manager Inspector Leo Tooman said the woman killed in the crash was driving. She was yet to be identified.

The four injured were all passengers in the car.

A woman suffered critical injuries and two boys, believed to be aged five and seven-years-old, were taken to Waikato Hospital by ambulance with minor to moderate injuries. A man suffered minor injuries.

Tooman said the SPCA had  been called to the scene to deal with a puppy injured in the crash.

 Initial indications were that the Subaru Impreza has failed to negotiate a bend and smashed through a fence, he said. "At this stage it is far too early to determine the cause of the crash but we are investigating what, if any part, speed and alcohol played in what happened."

The crash was being investigated by the Waikato Serious Crash Unit.

Tooman said: "After tonight's crash we now one woman who won't be at the table enjoying Christmas with her family next month with the realistic possibility of the skilled medical staff not being able to prevent the death of another, it's happening too often and we need a whole of community solution."

The crash is the second serious crash in Waikato in 24 hours, he said. A crash last night near Ohaupo left two women fighting for their lives.
 
Drivers need to respect the road no matter if they are on a major highway, city street or rural road, Tooman said.

"It's not just the job of police to address the issue, blue and red flashing lights can't be seen everywhere and its up to friends and families to ensure their loved ones are fit to drive- that they are fit to survive, that is the only way we can ensure safer journeys for all road users."

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