The Napier-Taupo Road has now reopened after a van plunged 6m down a bank early today.
Traffic was reduced to a single lane after the vehicle left the road about three kilometres north of Te Pohue at about 3.20am and ended up 6m down a bank, trapping two people inside.
The fire service had to cut free the driver and passenger.
A man and woman were taken to Hawke's Bay Hospital suffering moderate to severe injuries, he said.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
The New Zealand Transport Authority said State Highway 5 was now open to both directions of traffic.