A 31-year-old man, who was critically injured when he fell from a vehicle in Northland on the weekend, has since died in hospital.

The incident occurred on Paihia Rd south of Ōpua, shortly before 4am on Saturday.

A police investigation into the circumstances of the incident remained ongoing but reports suggested the man was sitting in the tray of a ute.

He was found lying on the road about 1km south of the intersection with Te Raupo Rd.

The road was closed for a time while police’s serious crash unit investigated.

A police spokesperson said their thoughts were with the man’s family and friends.