Four people seriously injured in spate of car crashes in Hawke's Bay

Police responded to several serious vehicle crashes in Hawke's Bay. Photo / File

Police in Hawke's Bay on Thursday had a busy day responding to three separate vehicle smashes in the region, with multiple people seriously injured.

A Police spokeswoman said officers were called to a two-vehicle collision on Taihape Rd at around 3pm.

She said there were initial reports of one person being trapped inside one of the vehicles.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) was also at the scene to assist with the crash.

A St John Ambulance spokeswoman said it had three ambulances and a rapid response vehicle at the scene treating three patients - all in a serious condition - who were taken to Hawke's Bay Hospital where they continued to receive treatment.

The crash took place between Kawera Rd and Runanga Pa Lane, with diversions in place at the intersections of Ohiti and Matapiro Rds.

Diversions were later lifted and the road cleared at around 5.30pm.

A young woman was also seriously injured after a car crashed into a tree near Waipukurau in the early hours on Thursday.

Emergency services were called to a single-vehicle crash at the intersection of Bush and Porangahau Rds in Wallingford about 12.35am.

A FENZ spokeswoman said one person in the crash was extricated from the vehicle and stabilised before being transported to Hawke's Bay Hospital by rescue helicopter.

A Hawke's Bay District Health Board spokeswoman said two people were taken to Hawke's Bay Hospital following the crash.

A woman in her late-teens remained in a serious but stable condition on Thursday night, while a man in his 20s had since been discharged.

Police also received a report of an object having fallen of the back of a truck and hitting a car on Te Aute Rd near Paki Paki around 2.50pm.

FENZ and St John Ambulance were both in attendance, with one patient treated for minor injuries at the scene.