A learner-driver was illegally carrying passengers and some were not wearing seatbelts when a vehicle crashed into a ditch, police say.
Three people were thrown from the station wagon which left State Highway 2 in Poukawa, rolled a few times and ended up in a paddock, police Acting Senior SergeantMike O'Brien said. The vehicle had gone out of control on a "moderate right-hand bend" while travelling north to Hastings at about 1.20am Saturday.
It was overloaded with six people jammed in. Some were not wearing seatbelts and one was riding in the back of the vehicle, Mr O'Brien said.
All six people, aged between 15 and 22, were taken to Hawke's Bay Hospital.
St John Heretaunga territory manager Brendon Hutchinson said three ambulances responded from Hastings and Waipukurau.
Two people had critical injuries, two had serious injuries and two were in a stable condition. Four people have since been discharged from hospital and two remain in a stable condition.
Emergency services were also called after a car crashed into a power pole in Clive on Saturday night. A 33-year-old man lost control of his vehicle and collided with the pole in Farndon Rd about 8.35pm. The crash caused 68 houses to lose power. Some did not have it restored until 1.45am yesterday. The man was taken to hospital but later discharged.
Earlier that night some Havelock North residents also lost power. A car ran over a low-voltage pedestal on the corner of St Hill Lane and Brookvale Rd, cutting electricity to 20 customers for two hours from 7.28pm.
