Four injured, three seriously, following two-car crash north of Nelson

A rescue helicopter had been sent from Wellington following reports two people are trapped in their cars after a crash north of Nelson. Photo / File

Four people are injured, three seriously, following a two-car crash near Nelson.

A section of State Highway 6 near Hori Bay at Whangamoa, north of Nelson, has just reopened after being closed during rescue efforts.

Police, Fire and Emergency and St John Ambulance were called to the scene shortly before 6.30pm following reports two cars were off the road and passengers were trapped.

A police spokeswoman said three people were in a serious condition and a fourth person had moderate injuries following the crash.

The more seriously injured had been airlifted to Nelson hospital by Wellington air crew.

Meanwhile, the Desert Rd section of State Highway 1 remains closed following a fatal crash north of Waiouru.

The crash involving a car and a truck happened at 3.30pm and killed one, and injured several others.

The Serious Crash Unit is investigating.

Diversions were also previously in place at Tirohanga in the Bay of Plenty following another crash that killed one.

This year's road-death toll so far is a 56 per cent increase from 2013.

Associate Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter has previously said it was her "top priority" to stop people dying on the roads.