Two people were airlifted to Hawke's Bay Hospital with serious injuries today after a crash between a truck and a car on SH2 north of Wairoa.
The crash happened near the small settlement of Whakaki north of Wairoa at 8.50am today.
Sergeant Aubrey Ormond of Wairoa Police said a car was travelling south along the highway when it collided with a 6-tonne truck that was travelling north.
The truck rolled after crashing into the car and the driver was thrown from the vehicle. The driver, a 47-year-old Napier man, was transported by rescue helicopter to Hawke's Bay Hospital with serious injuries.
The 59-year-old female driver of the car from Gisborne was also thrown from her vehicle and was airlifted to Hawke's Bay Hospital by a second helicopter. She also suffered serious injuries.
Mr Ormond said the highway was closed for a short time before a detour was arranged through a nearby paddock. The highway was reopened early this afternoon.