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A newly-wed American tourist has died in a crash at the Waitomo Caves this morning, while his new bride is in a critical condition.
The 31-year-old was killed in the crash on the State Highway 3 intersection and his 28-year-old wife, who was travelling in the car with him, was taken to Waikato Hospital by helicopter.
The couple were married four days ago, and were on honeymoon in New Zealand.
The crash occurred at about 9.20am when the car they were travelling in failed to give way as they were leaving the Waitomo Caves Road, turning right into the path of a northbound concrete truck, police said.
The Fire Service was called to cut the tourists free from the vehicle, and the woman was flown by the Westpac Waikato Air Ambulance to hospital.
"This is an absolute tragedy, and my heart goes out to the family and friends of the couple," said Waikato road policing manager, Inspector Leo Tooman.
"Initial indications are that the tourists have overtaken a stationary green vehicle on the left hand side that was giving way at the intersection, and then turned right towards Te Kuiti, into the path of the northbound truck.
"We are asking for the driver of the green vehicle to make contact with police, along with anyone else who may have witnessed the crash."
Second fatality
Meanwhile, a 30-year-old man has died after a motorbike and car collided in Kapiti, north of Wellington, this morning.
Police said one man had died as a result of the crash.
"A motorcycle has collided with an oncoming car, which was heading up Ruapehu Street, towards Valley Road," said Senior Sergeant Alasdair Macmillan.
"The motorcyclist, aged in his late 30s, sadly died at the scene. The two occupants of the vehicle were unharmed."
Macmillan said early indications suggest the motorcyclist crossed the centre line and collided with the vehicle, however this will be investigated.