A 21-year-old man who, allegedly hit a police car with a pipe, has died after a fatal car collision in Dargaville.

The man wandered into the path of another car after being spoken to by police, says a statement from Northland Police.

Police received a number of calls at around 6.10pm reporting a man walking along the centre of Bayley's Coast Road, says the statement.

'Members of the public reported having nearly hit the man and that he was seen swinging a pipe,” says Detective Inspector Rhys Johnston.

'One person even stopped and spoke with the man to say that the dark clothing he was wearing made it hard for motorists to see him.”

He says the road is rural and unlit so visibility was low

'A Police unit has attended and located the man in the middle of the road.”

It is at this point, Johnston claims, the man hit the patrol car with a pipe.

'The Police car then completed a U-turn and parked on the side of the road,” states Johnston.

'They have attempted to engage in conversation with the man who has refused to comply with their requests to get off the road.

'The man has then started walking across to the other side of the road away from our officers and into the path of an oncoming vehicle.

'Police immediately provided medical assistance until ambulance staff arrived but sadly the man has died a short time later.”

The statement from Police says next-of-kin notifications are currently underway but they have confirmed the deceased was a 21-year-old man.

'Our thoughts are with his family at this extremely difficult time and we will be ensuring they are supported,” says Johnston.

'This was a very upsetting incident for all involved, including our officers who were attempting to try and assist this man to safety and we are ensuring they are being offered welfare.

'We would also like to acknowledge that this was a traumatising incident for the driver of the vehicle and they are being supported by Police.”

Police are investigating the incident and as is standard procedure have self-referred the matter to the Independent Police Conduct Authority.

Police have also advised WorkSafe of the incident.