Fatal crash car should not have been on road - police

The car involved in a crash which killed a 23-year-old man in Waikato last night should not have been on the road, police say.

The car was not registered and did not have a warrant of fitness.

The crash happened at 7pm on Station Road in Te Awamutu.

A second person in the vehicle suffered serious injuries and was in a stable but critical condition in Waikato Hospital Intensive Care Unit.

Waikato Serious Crash Unit investigators said it appeared the Mazda 3 failed to take a slight bend, crossed the centre line and crashed through a solid wooden barrier before stopping against a concrete power pole used to supply electricity to the main trunk railway line.

Neither of the occupants were wearing seatbelts. Both were thrown from their seats and police were having trouble identifying who was driving.

Police were speaking to witnesses.

The main trunk railway line reopened about 10pm last night after its power was restored.

The 23-year-old was expected to be named later today.