"It's good to get a positive outcome for the community," he said.
A police spokeswoman said police were called to the scene on River Rd about 8.45am.
A Fire and Emergency Services spokesman said the person was freed and two appliances had been sent to the scene.
Fire and Emergency Services were alerted at 8.37am.
A St John spokesman said one person in critical condition was flown to Waikato Hospital.
A Kawerau District Council spokeswoman said neither council rubbish trucks nor Waste Management trucks contracted by the council were involved in the incident.