10-year-old in serious condition after truck smash

The boy's condition has improved from critical to serious, but stable. Photo / File

A 10-year-old boy remains in a serious condition in hospital this morning after the car he was a passenger in was hit by a truck yesterday morning.

The Waikanae boy was flown to hospital by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter shortly after midday with head injuries.

The boy was initially reported to be in a critical condition, but his condition had improved this morning to serious but stable.

Two other children and two adults were also traveling in the car when the accident occurred. A 7-year-old girl was taken to hospital with spinal injuries, and was discharged this morning.

One of the adults remains in hospital in a stable condition. The other remaining adult and child were kept in hospital overnight for observation, but were discharged this morning.

The car had pulled as far right as possible in the north bound lane to take a right turn into a driveway near the Te Hapua Road intersection, about 10km south of Otaki.

A truck did not realise the car had stopped and crashed into the back of it, shunting the vehicle into the path of an oncoming car.

Two people in the truck and two in the south bound car were treated at the scene for minor injuries.

The highway was closed for about four hours following the crash, and traffic was backed up in both directions while emergency services cleared the scene.

Alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the crash, police said.

An investigation is underway. No charges have yet been laid.