Mystery caller sought after fatal accident

Police want to speak with a caller who made a driving complaint before a fatal crash near Mangakino last week.

Sergeant Shane McNally, of Taupō Serious Crash Unit says the female caller was following a black Toyota RAV4 along State Highway 47 towards Tūrangi, at about 2.45pm on April 21.

Shortly afterwards, the RAV4 was involved in a fatal crash on Waipapa Road, north of Mangakino.

The driver of the RAV4 has since pleaded guilty to careless driving causing death, and a 64-year-old man is due to be sentenced in the Auckland District Court on May 6.

Police would like to speak further to the female who made the driving complaint to get more information, as their phone number appears to be a “roaming number” which does not connect when called back.

It is believed the female and another male in the car were travelling from Whanganui towards Turangi at the time.

Contact Police online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking "Update Report" or by calling 105 and quoting file number 250421/4930.