Seatbelt warning

Police have released the names of two men in their twenties who died after a car crash in Northland on May 12.

They were Colin Risetto-Blade, 28, and Zion Harris-Davis, 23 of Kaeo, Northland.

Five people were travelling in a Toyota double-cab ute that collided with a Nissan ute on State Highway 1 near Ohaeawai at around 10.30pm.

One died at the scene, and the other was flown to Auckland Hospital, where he underwent surgery but later died.

Police said they were still investigating the cause of the crash and said charges may follow their investigation.

A teenage passenger was taken to Bay of Islands Hospital in Kawakawa with moderate hand injuries, while the Toyota’s driver and the remaining passenger, and the Nissan’s driver, were treated at the scene for minor injuries.

It appeared passengers in the Toyota were not wearing seatbelts.

‘‘There is clear evidence that the wearing of seatbelts lessens the risk of injury in a rollover crash such as this,’’ police Acting Sergeant Julian Trinder said.

‘‘We implore everyone to take the time to ensure that their seatbelt is correctly fastened before they start their journey so that they can reach their destination safely.’’