An elderly woman has suffered serious injuries in a crash at a notorious Mid North blackspot.
The smash occurred just before 7am yesterday when two vans collided at Pakaraka Junction, one heading south on State Highway 1 and the other heading north and turning right into SH10.
Acting Senior Sergeant Dylan Robinson, of Kaikohe police, said the driver of the turning vehicle suffered serious injuries and was taken first to Bay of Islands Hospital in Kawakawa, then to Whangarei.
The driver of the other vehicle received minor injuries and was treated at the scene.
Mr Robinson said the crash was witnessed by the crew of a St John Ambulance, which meant medics could start treating the patient almost immediately. Police inquiries into the crash were continuing.
Fire crews from Kawakawa, Kaikohe and Kerikeri responded.
Kawakawa fire chief Wayne Martin said firefighters extricated the injured driver from the van and assisted with traffic control and cleaning up the intersection.
Rain and low cloud meant the rescue helicopter couldn't fly so the woman was transferred to Whangarei by St John Ambulance.