A 13-year-old boy has died after being thrown from the back of a ute in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.
Two people were travelling in the ute tray, with another two in the cab.
Police don't yet know how Shane Hohepa fell to his death.
Senior Constable Stephen Allan of the Whakatane police say police and ambulance officers attended the scene around 1pm. The road was closed for three hours while the Serious Crash Unit carried out its investigation.
Police are asking anyone who saw the four-door ute prior to the crash to contact them with any information which could help with their investigations.
RadioLIVE / 3 News