Tauranga chopper airlifts crash victim

The Tauranga based TECT rescue helicopter was called to Kaingaroa forest about 7am today where a van had collided with a fully laden logging truck.

The van was carrying seven passengers and "miraculously" only the driver was seriously injured, a rescue helicopter statement said.

Five of the other passengers suffered cuts and abrasions and the sixth person received serious head lacerations.

The 48-year-old van driver, a Minginui resident, received multiple serious injuries to his right leg and both arms.

He was stabilised at the scene by St John ambulance staff before being flown to Waikato hospital in a serious condition.