Ducklings crossing the road cause Te Puke crash

The wreckage of a car that stopped to allow ducklings to cross the highway at Te Puke. Photo/Stuart Whitaker

A crash which blocked one of the Bay of Plenty's busiest highways this morning was caused by a driver stopping to allow ducklings to cross the road.

Two people have been taken to Tauranga Hospital from the crash, which happened about 8.15am on Te Puke Highway formerly State Highway 2.

Senior Constable Bruce Gordon said from the scene a car travelling about 4-5km north of the township had slowed down and stopped to allow a group of ducklings to cross the road.

A truck travelling behind the vehicle was not able to stop in time and crashed into the rear of the car.

Mr Gordon said in a situation like this, it was better to continue travelling with the traffic flow rather than stopping when there was other traffic on the road.

St John ambulance officers have taken two occupants of the car to Tauranga Hospital with minor injuries.

The road was partially blocked for a short while and traffic was now flowing again.

The ducklings did not survive.