Defence Force vehicle involved in serious crash near Wairoa

Police attended a serious crash involved a New Zealand Defence Force vehicle near Wairoa on Saturday. Photo/File

Two people were airlifted to hospital after a serious crash involving a New Zealand Defence Force vehicle near Wairoa on Saturday.

Emergency services were called to a collision between a New Zealand Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) and a people mover on Tahaenui Bridge at 7pm.

Last night the bridge was still down to one lane due to repairs needing to be done.

A police spokesperson said the lane was expected to be closed for quite a while and traffic management was in place.

The Serious Crash Unit is investigating and, yesterday, attended the scene on State Highway 2.

Two people, both in the people mover, were airlifted to Gisborne Hospital in a serious condition.

A Gisborne Hospital spokesperson said four people, including the two who were airlifted, were in hospital following the crash and all were in a stable condition last night.

A New Zealand Defence Force spokesperson said they were not able to comment because it was a police matter.

Police and the Fire and Emergency New Zealand attended the crash about 7pm on Saturday and the bridge was closed for several hours.

At the time, police advised motorists to expect delays in the area after the crash.