Police have officially named the Tairua man who was killed in a crash in the Coromandel on Tuesday.

Raymond Stewart Bruce, 76, was killed after a car travelling in the opposite direction crossed the centre line and smashed head-on into his vehicle on State Highway 25 near Kopu, south of Thames.

Raymond died shortly after the incident, while the driver of the other vehicle remains in a critical condition.

On behalf of police, Waikato district road policing manager Inspector Freda Grace extends their sympathies to Raymond's family and friends.

'Every fatal crash leaves families and communities suffering. The impacts are far reaching and we urge the motoring public to think of their loved ones every time they get behind the wheel.

'All drivers should adopt the view that road safety is everyone's responsibility. We all want to be safe and feel safe; so ensure you are a responsible driver.”

Freda says the investigation into the crash is ongoing.

The fatal crash was one of two which occurred near Kopu within 15 minutes of each other on Tuesday.