Person taken to Hawke’s Bay Hospital in serious condition after ute flips in 2-vehicle crash

A two-vehicle crash in Taradale left debris scattered on Gloucester St, which closed the southbound lane. Photo / New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union

A person was taken to Hawke’s Bay Hospital in what ambulance clinicians say was a serious condition after a two-vehicle crash in Napier left a ute on its roof.

Emergency services were called to Gloucester St, near EIT and Rodney Green Arenas, in Taradale about 4.20pm on Monday.

A police spokeswoman said debris spilled across the road, closing the southbound lane.

Hato Hone St John responded with two ambulances and one rapid response vehicle.

A spokesman said three people were assessed and two of them were treated at the scene for moderate injuries.

A third person was taken to hospital in a serious condition, the spokesman said.

A woman close to the injured person said on social media they had been hurt by an airbag, but had recovered and were released from hospital the same night.

Police were on Tuesday unable to confirm social media reports that a medical event had occurred prior to the crash.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said three trucks were called to the scene, two from Napier and one from Taradale.

The crash came the same day as a New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) strike, the 22nd time NZPFU has taken strike action, but did not occur at the time of the strike.