Police say that alcohol may have been a factor in a crash in Waikato this morning.
Three people died in the incident after a Nissan Centra failed to take a left-hand corner and collided head-on with a gum tree near Hamilton.
A fourth person, a male in his 20s, has been taken to Waikato Hospital in a critical condition.
Emergency services say the crash occurred at just after 5am on Gordonton Road, south of Graham Road.
Road policing manager Leo Tooman says empty beer bottles were found in the car.
[There was] alcohol in the vehicle [and] the smell of alcohol in the vehicle so it may well be related but we'll have to wait and see," says Mr Tooman.
Gordonton Road has been closed between Boyd and Borman roads and police say the road will remain closed for some time.
Diversions are in place but motorists are advised to avoid the area.
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