Three injured in serious Bay of Islands crash

State Highway 11 at Haruru Falls has been closed due to a serious crash.

Three young women are injured, one critically, after a crash in the Bay of Islands.

A witness said a white car carrying three women in their 20s was turning into Bay of Islands Holiday Park on State Highway 11, Haruru, when it was "side-swiped" by a truck from behind.

The witness said the car was "written off".

A police spokesman said the fire service removed one woman in a critical condition from the car.

Another woman is in a serious condition and a third is moderately injured, he said.

Emergency services were called to the scene, in a 100km/h speed zone, at 10.20am.

A St John spokeswoman said two ambulances and a third support vehicle, as well as a rescue helicopter were at the scene.

Due to a crash SH11 (Puketona Rd) west of Paihia is CLOSED. Emergency services are on site. ^TF

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) December 28, 2015

All three patients were taken to a Northland hospital.

The crash has closed SH11.

Westbound traffic is being turned around at the Waitangi roundabout in Paihia. Eastbound traffic is being stopped and turned around at Puketona.

UPDATE: SH11 bwtn Puketona Jnc & Paihia is CLOSED and there is no westbound alternative. Please delay your journey. ^TF

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) December 28, 2015

There are no alternative routes and motorists are advised to avoid the area.

According to NZTA, northbound traffic is also heavy on SH1 in Orewa, with queues before the Johnstone Tunnels through to Warkworth and in Wellsford.

Motorists are advised to delay their trip of consider using SH16.