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Police have named a boy who died after the car he was in crashed into the Whanganui River on Saturday night, despite brave attempts to save him.
He was Silva Natana Horton, 13, one of three people killed on the country's roads so far this weekend.
His mother, 35, who had been driving, and a 14-year-old friend of Silva managed to escape after the car plunged into the river from Somme Parade about 9.45pm.
Police and fire officers fought to rescue the boy, who had been sitting in the front seat, but were tragically unable to save him, Sergeant Andrew McDonald of Wanganui police says.
"It was an incredibly traumatic incident for everyone involved.
"Police officers in uniform were diving in to try to reach the boy and fire officers were doing the same trying to hook a rope around the vehicle to pull it within easier reach. At the same we had staff trying to comfort his distraught family on the river bank."
Two local divers eventually reached the vehicle, which had sunk in about 4.5 metres of water, but it was too late to save Silva, McDonald says.
The boy's mother and friend were treated for shock and minor injuries and had since been discharged from hospital.
Police are investigating the cause of the crash and want to hear from witnesses. Neither alcohol nor speed are suspected at this stage, McDonald says.
Meanwhile, a 47-year-old woman died after her car rolled and caught fire on straight piece of road in Kirwee, 37km west of Christchurch, about 4am on Sunday, police say.
It was ablaze when emergency services arrived.
The woman, from Kirwee, was the only person in the car, says Constable David Pitkethley of Darfield police.
It is not known whether she was killed in the crash or by the fire.
Another person was killed in a two-car crash on SH33 at Okere Falls, 20km northeast of Rotorua, about 5pm on Saturday.
It appears the driver of one vehicle lost control on a corner and crossed the centre line, colliding with a 4WD towing a boat, police say.
The driver of the first vehicle, the sole occupant, died at the scene.
Two adults and two children in the other vehicle were taken to hospital with moderate injuries.
