One person has died following a crash on Te Teko Road, between Te Teko and Edgecumbe, last night.

Police received a report of the crash near Okaahu and Powell Roads about 11:20 pm a Police spokesperson says.

“A car had struck a horse, and the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle died at the scene.”

A resident who did not want to be named told News Whakatane he heard a piercing screech and a loud bang.

“I knew straight away something bad had happened,” He said.

“Sadly, this one of many incidents involving horses that have occurred on our road in the last few years. Owners of these [horses] need to be more responsible.”

The horse died at the scene.

Te Teko Road was closed for several hours to allow the Police Serious Crash Unit to examine the scene.