Five injured in serious crash on SH5, near Te Haroto

Five people have been injured in a serious crash on State Highway 5, near Te Haroto.

Police said they were advised of the crash on the Napier-Taupo Rd at about 4.40pm.

Initial indications are that a vehicle has hit a power pole, according to a police spokeswoman.

"There are power lines down," he said.

A St John Ambulance spokesman said three people have sustained serious injuries, one moderate and one minor.

One patient with serious injuries is to be transported to Hawke's Bay Hospital by helicopter, according to the spokesman. The other patients will be taken to Hawke's Bay Hospital by ambulance.

The NZ Transport Agency said the road between Napier and Taupo is closed.

Police said the road closures are between the snow gates at Eskdale and the gates east of the Mitre Ten complex in Taupo.

"The road will be closed for the next couple of hours while a power pole and power lines blocking the road are removed," a spokesman said.

Vehicles currently on SH5 will be turned back by police.

"Please delay your travel if possible, as the only detours available are via SH3 Palmerston North or SH2 Gisborne," NZ Transport Agency said.

Motorists are advised to expect delays and traffic management will be in place.

MetService earlier today issued a road snowfall warning for the treacherous stretch of road from 10am to 10pm.

Sleet could turn to snow in higher parts of the road, they said.

Eight deaths have already been recorded from five separate crashes on the road from December 2019 to June 2020.

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