Twelve people injured after van and SUV crash on Napier-Taupō Rd, State Highway 5

A driver has been charged after 12 people were injured in a serious crash between a van and an SUV on the Napier-Taupō Road.

The crash was reported near Rangitāiki School, at the Taupō end of State Highway 5, at around 10.30am on Sunday and the highway was closed. It fully reopened at 1.20pm.

A police spokesperson said it appeared one driver attempted to overtake a vehicle, and struck the second vehicle head-on.

“Upon arrival 12 people were located injured inside the vehicles, including four that were transported to hospital in a serious condition, and eight people who [were] transported in minor to moderate conditions.

“The road was closed for around three hours as [it] was cleared, and inquiries were conducted at the scene.”

The 57-year-old van driver has been summonsed to appear in the Tauranga District Court next week on a charge of careless driving causing injury.

Emergency services at the scene of a serious crash on State Highway 5 in Rangitāiki. Twelve people were injured when a van collided with an SUV.

A Hato Hone St John spokesperson said four ambulances, one rapid response unit, and four helicopters had been sent to the scene.

St John’s initial report stated that 13 had been injured, with that later updated to 12, with their conditions ranging from minor to serious.

“Nine patients have been airlifted to Waikato Hospital; four in a serious condition, three in a moderate condition, and two in a minor condition,” the spokesperson said.

“Three patients have been transported via road to Taupō Hospital; two in a moderate condition, and one in a minor condition.”