Four in hospital after car hits house

Four people, including a 12-year-old, remained in Hawke's Bay Hospital last night with injuries received when a car crashed into a house in Napier on Saturday night.

The crash happened about 10.30pm when a car travelling northeast on Masefield Ave, Maraenui, was thought to have failed to stop at the T-intersection, crossing the road, mounting a kerb and crashing into the front of one of two adjoining Housing New Zealand units.

The car fractured a gas installation, creating an emergency which resulted in people being evacuated from their homes until the danger was over.

The smell of gas lingered in the air around the neighbourhood for several hours afterwards.

It was unclear if occupants of the unit were home at the time.

However, none of the residents were injured.

The Fire Service had three trucks at the scene, two involved in the extrication of two injured people from the car, including the male driver who was trapped with a fractured leg.

The other Fire Service crew focused on the gas emergency.

St John Ambulance Service Heretaunga territory manager Brendon Hutchinson said four people were taken to hospital - two aged in their 20s, one aged 17 and the other aged 12.

All were reported early last night by Hawke's Bay DHB to be in stable condition.

Police at the scene said they believed speed was a significant factor in the cause of the crash, and it was possible the car and another vehicle had been racing just before the crash.

Housing New Zealand contractor Prestige yesterday boarded up the damaged front entrance of the unit where the crash happened.