The tragedy was one of four crashes around Hawke’s Bay in less than an hour.
Police were called to a three-vehicle crash on Kennedy Rd, near Trinity Cres, about 12.40pm.
The crash blocked the northbound lane for a short time.
Hato Hone St John said three people were assessed at the scene, with one taken to Hawke’s Bay Hospital in a serious condition.
About 1pm, police were called to an upside-down car that was still warm to the touch, but without a driver, just off Te Awa Rd, a rural area of Central Hawke’s Bay near Wanstead.
No one was located with the vehicle and police were making inquiries to find the driver.
At 1.16pm, there was a two-vehicle crash on Ngatarawa Rd, near State Highway 50 by Roys Hill. There were no injuries or blockages.
Meanwhile, a section of State Highway 2 north of Dannevirke had been closed for more than 12 hours by early afternoon after an early-morning crash involving the flipping of a truck and trailer.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi reported the road closed at 1.49am and a detour had been available through Kiritaki and Maharahara roads.
The driver was not thought to have been injured and the road reopened more than 12 hours later at 3.17pm.
No injuries were reported in a crash in which two vehicles collided at the intersection of Kennedy Rd and Georges Dr, Napier, shortly before 4.15pm on Wednesday. A temporary roundabout is currently in place during work on traffic lights that otherwise control the intersection.
- An initial version of this article, using information provided by police, said SH50 had been blocked. The highway remained open after the crash.
