A 45 year old man is dead after a car race along the Seaqaqa Highway between cousins ended in a tragic accident at 9.30pm last night.

Assistant Police Spokesperson Corporal Josaia Weicavu confirms that the deceased, who was a former Fiji citizen now living in New Zealand, was on holiday in Fiji and was a passenger in the car.

Police believe that the private vehicle in which the deceased was travelling in was racing with another car on the highway when the tyre burst and the vehicle collided with the other.

One driver is admitted in Labasa hospital while police are questioning the driver of the other car involved in the accident.

The national road death toll stands at 42 compared to 72 for the same period last year.