Ōpōtiki: State Highway 2 reopens after crash kills two in Bay of Plenty

Traffic is being diverted on State Highway 2 following a serious two-vehicle crash. Photo / File

Two people have died after a collision between a van and a ute near Ōpōtiki, police have confirmed.

Emergency services responded to a serious crash on State Highway 2 at the intersection of Ohiwa Beach Rd in Waiotahe about 2.30pm Wednesday.

A police statement said two people had died and a further two people were injured.

The intersection of State Highway 2 and Ohiwa Beach Road was closed for several hours and reopened about 8.30pm.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand northern communications spokesman said one person was trapped and extracted from the vehicle.

A St John spokesperson earlier said three patients involved in the accident were treated at the scene.

Six St John vehicles responded to the incident including rescue helicopters from Tauranga and Hamilton.

One patient in critical condition was airlifted to Tauranga Hospital and another patient in serious condition was airlifted to Whakatāne Hospital.

A patient in moderate condition was taken to Whakatāne Hospital by ambulance, the spokesperson said.