Five taken to hospital after bus rolls on State Highway 5

Five people have been taken to hospital after a bus rolled on State Highway 5 between Tirau and Rotorua.

Firefighters had to cut four people from the damaged minibus, which crashed at 9.30am at Fitzgerald Glade with 21 passengers on board.

Ambulance staff were treating 16 passengers at a nearby cafe. Most of the passengers were carrying suitcases and were reported to be uninjured.

Tirau fire station officer Deene Coghlan said the passengers were "all very lucky".

It is not known what caused the crash but the area has been affected by heavy rain and strong winds.

A police spokesman said the bus was not blocking the road and traffic was flowing freely.

Traffic is down to one lane and is being controlled by stop go signs.