Four people hospitalised following serious single-vehicle crash in East Auckland’s Flat Bush

Four people have been injured, one critically, following a single-vehicle crash in East Auckland last night.

Emergency services received reports of a crash on Gracechurch Drive in Flat Bush about 7.10pm on Sunday.

A Hato Hone St John spokeswoman said four patients had been treated and taken to hospital. One person with critical injuries had been taken to Auckland City Hospital, while one with serious injuries and two in a moderate condition had been taken to Middlemore.

A police officer on cordon duties after the crash, which left one person in a critical condition and three others injured. Photo / Hayden Woodward

Seven emergency vehicles attended the scene, including four ambulances, two rapid response units and an operations manager.

Fire and Emergency NZ dispatched two fire trucks to the scene. It said there was a total of five people involved in the crash.

“Upon arrival nobody was trapped and crews assisted police and ambulance.”

‘Crashes have happened here before’

One Gracechurch Dr resident, who asked not to be named, said speeding vehicles were a common issue on the road.

“I’ve lived in the area for a year. but most drivers exceed the speed limit by 20-30km/h even on bends and corners.

“Unfortunately it doesn’t surprise me that there’s been a crash here. It’s not a nice thing to say, but crashes have happened here before.”

However it seemed like this was the first bad crash, he said, adding it must have been “pretty gnarly”.

The man was asleep when the crash happened but had heard sirens later on. He had been allowed out of the cordon but could not get back in to reach his house.

Four people were hospitalised following a serious single-vehicle crash in East Auckland’s Flat Bush. 25 March 2024. New Zealand Herald Photograph by Hayden Woodward

The road remained closed last night while emergency services responded to the scene.

“Motorists are advised to take an alternate route,” police said last night.

A photographer at the scene said a heavy haulage tow truck had arrived from Southern Districts Towing.