Mystery crash leaves teen critical

The cause of a mid-morning crash on Saturday that has left a young Napier man in a critical condition remains a mystery.

An 18-year-old male was taken to Hawke's Bay Hospital in a serious condition after the Toyota ute he was driving smashed into a tree on Wycliffe St, Onekawa, about 8.40am.

The man was the only occupant of the westbound vehicle when it crashed opposite Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Ara Hou school, and reduced traffic to a single lane for about three hours.

Napier Police Senior Constable Ian Cheyne said the accident was "nasty" and police were waiting to speak to the man to find out what happened.

"He's been in a fairly old ute with not much crash protection and hit the tree pretty hard," Mr Cheyne said. "He was trapped and had to be cut out."

One Wycliffe St resident said the sound of a "big thump" alerted him to the accident, and neighbours rushed to the young man's aid.

"My partner called the ambulance straight away," he said. "There were about five police cars, two ambulances and three fire engines here to help him."

St John Hawke's Bay co-ordinator Steve Smith said two ambulances were sent to the crash because of the seriousness of the man's injuries.

"We sent the nearest available vehicle, then backed it up with intensive-care paramedics because the patient had critical injuries," Mr Smith said.

"He was stabilised at the scene and then transferred to Hawke's Bay Hospital."

The Wycliffe St resident said despite being a straight road in a 50km/h zone, it was not the first time there had been an accident involving the same tree.

"Goodness knows how many years ago a motorcyclist hit that tree as well. He lost his leg."

Mr Cheyne said it was not uncommon for drivers to hit things on the side of the road and it was not yet known if speed or alcohol were factors in the incident.