UPDATED 5PM: The car involved in a fatal Auckland city crash was allegedly speeding in the moments before the accident.

One person died and two others were injured in the crash, which happened just before midday on Ian McKinnon Drive in Eden Terrace.

Resident Sonia Greenslade said she saw two cars, including the one later found wrapped around a tree, racing just before they crashed.

She says they must have been going more than 150km/h.

Greenslade said she saw a dark car overtake a silver car.

After the crash, the Fire Service worked for half an hour to free a person trapped in the wreckage.

The two injured were taken to Auckland City Hospital with moderate injuries.

One person died at the scene.