Three 'elderly' car crash victims are possibly trapped after two cars collided in the Bay of Plenty.
A St John ambulance spokeswoman said two people had been seriously injured and two others were moderately injured in the crash, which happened shortly before midday.
Four patients have been taken to hospital in Tauranga.
A police spokeswoman said three people were possibly trapped in their car on Ohauiti Rd, however neither spokeswoman was able to confirm immediately whether they were the same victims as those assessed by St John.
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The police spokeswoman said those injured were described as elderly and potentially in shock following the crash.
It appeared two cars had collided on Ohauiti Rd near Buxton Pl in Tauranga about 11.45am.
The road was partially blocked an traffic control was in place, police said.
So far the holiday toll is at five.
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So far year, 371 people have died on New Zealand roads, the highest number since 2010.
The figure at this time last year was 311.
Police and the NZTA launched a joint road safety campaign "We Want You Here For Christmas" at the start of December aimed at reducing fatalities.