An 11-year-old boy has died in hospital following a crash in Ngaruawahia on Friday night.

All seven occupants of the vehicle, aged 9-15, were taken to Waikato Hospital with serious to critical injuries. The six surviving occupants are still in hospital, with one in a critical condition.

Police say they were called to the incident shortly after 6pm on Friday.

'This is an absolute tragedy for a number of families and the community as a whole. All of the youths are local to the area and our thoughts are with the family and friends of all those involved,” says Detective Senior Sergeant Stephen Ambler.

'Police have started an investigation into the crash and are seeking witnesses who may have seen a white Toyota Wish motor vehicle between 5pm and 6.15pm within Ngaruawahia township yesterday.

Stephen says it is too early to determine what may have caused the crash as there may well be a number of contributing factors. It is also too early to confirm who was driving.

Police inquiries are continuing with the registered owner of the vehicle, who is known to the occupants of the vehicle.

'All occupants of the vehicle are from four families. Many of them are related, either as siblings or cousins.

'While our thoughts are with the families of those involved, Police are urging drivers to exercise caution on the roads, to drive to the conditions and to ensure people behind the wheel know their limits.”

Anyone with any information about the crash can contact Detective Sergeant Andre Kavanagh of Hamilton CIB on 07 858 6200.

Alternatively, details can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police are seeking sightings of Toyota Wish similar to this following a crash in Ngaruawahia on Friday. Photo: Police