A pregnant woman's unborn baby is dead after a 12-year-old allegedly crashed a stolen vehicle in the Far North on Monday evening.
Police said the crash happened between two vehicles on State Highway 1 in Okaihau at around 9:08pm.
"Tragically, one of the people taken to the hospital with critical injuries was pregnant and that baby has now died," Far North Area Commander Inspector Riki Whiu said in a statement on Tuesday evening.
"The woman remains in hospital in a critical but stable condition and police are providing support to her loved ones."
Insp Whiu alleged those in the other vehicle were "unlicensed youths" between 12 to 17, and the driver wasn't yet a teen. Three of them were taken to hospital with a range of critical to moderate injuries.
Insp Whiu confirmed this vehicle was "determined to have been stolen" earlier on Monday from Moerewa.
"While there are aspects of this crash we are not able to comment on at this time, I can say this is a horrific incident that was come about through selfish and mindless behaviour that has denied one of our mokopuna life," Insp Whiu said.
"This incident is a direct impact of their actions and tragically a life has been lost.
"It is absolutely the worst outcome for us as a community, whānau and all other responding emergency services who attend these incidents."
The serious crash unit attended the scene and an investigation into the circumstances is ongoing.
