Easter road toll rises to four after woman dies from injuries

The Easter road toll has risen to four, two days after it ended.

Three people died on the roads between Thursday April 18 and morning of Tuesday April 23. The last fatal crash occurred at 5:30am on Tuesday, half an hour before the road toll period ended.

Police said on Thursday morning a woman died on Wednesday, after being hurt in a crash at the intersection of Pourerere Rd and River Rd in Waipawa, near Hastings, at around 7pm on Monday. The woman was taken to hospital with critical injuries. An investigation into the crash is ongoing.

The toll is three fewer than last year, which was the highest Easter road toll for nearly a decade. Road safety advocates said a lower road toll was not enough.

"Every death on our road is a tragedy and is devastating for families and community which are involved. There is a lot that we need to do as a country," road safety charity Brake spokesperson Caroline Perry said.

She said there are several things people can do to lower the risk of a fatal accident.

"Keep below speed limit, drive to the conditions, particularly with some of the wet weather, and increase your following differences so you have plenty of time to stop.

"[Ensure] everyone else in your vehicle is wearing their seat belt too. That is one of the easiest things you can do to reduce your risk of death or serious injury if you are involved in a crash."

Newshub.