One person died and three were seriously injured when a van carrying six people swerved off a road late Friday in Kokkola on Finland's west coast.
According to the Ostrobothnian police department, the accident occurred when the van, heading from Kannus, Central Ostrobothnia, slid off Route 28 into a ditch, toppling several trees. The Rescue Department was alerted to the crash around 9.30 pm.
There were five people in the vehicle besides the driver. One of the passengers died from injuries sustained during the crash. Three other passengers were seriously injured.
The police and the Safety Investigation Authority are investigating the accident.
Police Commissioner Stefan Nordman, who is heading the police probe, declined to reveal the age or gender of the deceased passenger, or to comment on the possible causes of the accident at this stage.
However, he told the Finnish News Agency that police did not believe that alcohol played a role in the incident.
The accident happened on Kajaanintie in Kälviä, near the border of Kannus and Kokkola. The road was closed for an hour.
Eastern Uusimaa crash claims one life
Earlier on Friday evening, the driver of a car died in a traffic accident in Sipoo, east of Helsinki.
Eastern Uusimaa police said on Twitter that one passenger car was involved in the accident. According to an eyewitness, a small car had driven into a ditch.
The Rescue Department received a report of the accident shortly after 7 pm. It took place on Keravantie (Route 148) near the Inex Partners' logistics centre, between Nikkilä and Kerava.
Timo Tuomainen of the Eastern Uusimaa Rescue Department told local paper Itäväylä that units from the Eastern and Central Uusimaa Rescue Services participated in the rescue and clearing work, which slowed traffic for about two hours.
Police are investigating the cause of the accident.