A father of three has lost his life in a crash near Hastings just days before Christmas.

Police have named victim as 38-year-old father Curtis Scott Holmes from Greenmeadows, Napier.

The fatal two-vehicle crash happened on Elwood Rd, Waipatu, at 12.15am on Saturday December 16.

A Givealittle page started by a family friend to raise funds to support the family said that Holmes was a father of three young children.

The page said he leaves behind, “his dad, his fiancé and best friend Jade and their three beautiful young children, Piper, Carter and Zavier”.

The family friend who started the page said the fund would be used to “cover funeral costs and to help Jade and her kids navigate life for the next wee while”.

“As they navigate this difficult time, we appreciate your love, prayers and kind words.

“We understand that no amount of money will fix the hurt or ease the pain that Jade and her family are feeling, but removing barriers and allowing his family to grieve without financial stress would be a significant support and greatly appreciated.”

As of Sunday afternoon $3885 has been raised.

“Police extend our condolences to his family at this difficult time. An investigation into the cause of the crash remains ongoing,” a police statement said.

The Christmas holiday road toll currently stands at four.

One person died following a crash in the Northland town of Waimate North last night.

Police received report of the single-vehicle crash on Te Ahu Ahu Road at 8.08pm.

“Police can advise one person has died following the crash,” police said in a statement.

The Serious Crash Unit attended and inquiries are ongoing.

On Friday night a driver died after fleeing a police checkpoint in Whangārei.

On Saturday a person died in a crash on Whakamaru Rd in the Bay of Plenty, just before 1.30pm.

Another person died in a crash involving a car and a motorcyclist on SH25 south-east of the SH25A turn off on the Coromandel Peninsula on Saturday.