Serious crash closes SH10

A 52-year-old Northland woman has been airlifted to hospital in a critical condition after a crash on State Highway 10 this morning.

The accident occurred as she was driving south about 7am near the top of Kaeo Hill.

It appeared she had veered onto a gravel shoulder, lost control and ended up in a ditch on the opposite side of the road.

The highway was closed for more than three hours with traffic diverted via Matauri Bay Rd and Matauri Bay Link Rd.

It was expected to reopen after 10am once the police Serious Crash Unit had completed its investigation.

Police, two St John ambulances and the Kaeo Fire Brigade attended.

Once the woman was stabilised, about 8.30am, she was flown to Whangarei Hospital by the Northland Electricity Rescue Helicopter.

Police at the scene said it was too early to comment on the cause but re-iterated their Christmas holiday safety message about slowing down, always wearing a seat belt and not drinking and driving.