Two in hospital after Kaimai crash

UPDATED 6.23pm: Two people have been taken to Tauranga Hospital after a crash which shut down the main highway through the Kaimai Range this afternoon.

A St John ambulance spokesman said a 20-year-old woman suffered moderate to severe injuries and a 17-year-old girl suffered moderate injuries.

Hamilton police Senior Sergeant Andrew O'Reily said Waikato Serious Crash Unit would be investigating the cause of the crash, which was still unknown at this stage.

A Northern Fire Communications spokeswoman said two cars were involved in the 3.30pm crash, which happened on the Matamata side of the Kaimai Range.

Firefighters from Matamata and Greerton were called to help washed down the road before it was opened again to traffic about 4.45pm.

4.26pm: People are being warned of major delays in the Kaimai Range following a serious crash involving three cars on State Highway 29.

The highway has been shut down as emergency services work to clear the scene after the crash this afternoon, resulting in at least one person being taken to Tauranga Hospital with serious injuries.

A New Zealand Transport Agency spokeswoman said they hoped to have a lane re-opened shortly but there were major delays for traffic already stuck.

The spokeswoman advised motorists to use SH36 via Rotorua instead, as the second lane was not expected to be cleared for some time.

EARLIER: People are being cut free from their vehicles after a two car collision on the Matamata side of the Kaimai Range.

The section of State Highway 29 is currently closed as a result of the 3.30pm crash.

Western Bay of Plenty head of road policing Senior Sergeant Ian Campion said the westbound lane of the highway was expected to be re-opened in 10 to 20 minutes.

''At the moment the road is blocked and ambulance are extricating patients out,'' he said.

Mr Campion said at least one person is understood to have suffered serious injury.