UPDATED 2.20PM: A 19-year-old Murupara man died this morning after a truck crashed into the back of a logging truck in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

Police say the crash in thick fog on McKee Road, south of Kawerau, just after 3am.

A man has been killed in a truck crash near Kawerau.

The victim's family have been notified and no further details will be released until he has been formally identified.

'The truck was laden with beehives resulting in the police officers who were first to arrive at the crash being stung a number of times,” say police.

'Police would like to thank the local couple who loaned beekeeping suits to police to protect them while they worked at the scene.”

Earlier:

A man is dead following a two-truck crash in the Eastern Bay of Plenty this morning.

Police are still at the scene of the crash on McKee Road, south of Kawerau.

The crash occurred just before 4am.

'It appears at this stage that a logging truck has been moving slowly along McKee Road in thick fog when a truck carrying bee hives, and travelling in the same direction, has collided with the rear of the logging truck and not a head on crash as initially reported,” say police.

'The male passenger in the bee truck died as a result of the crash.”

Police are in contact with the family of the man who has died, but no further details can be released at this stage.

'It is understood the bee hives have remained intact and have been removed from the scene.

'It's not a main route but anyone likely to be using the route is advised to seek an alternative or expect to be diverted.”