They're safe: Two people trapped down 100m bank in Hawke's Bay after crash off State Highway 5 rescued

Two people who were trapped 100 metres down a bank after a crash on State Highway 5 in Hawke's Bay have been rescued.

The pair understood to be a woman and a child were brought up to the side of the road and were treated for moderate injuries.

Police responded to reports of a car down a vertical bank at 8.50am off SH5 near Pohokura Rd, and the well-known Waipunga Falls.

A third person who made it out of the vehicle earlier has only minor injuries.

A police spokeswoman confirmed ambulance staff were also responding.

Heavy rain is falling in the area and a Hawke's Bay Rescue Helicopter spokesman said the helicopter had been unable to make the journey due to the hazardous conditions.

Fire and Emergency NZ Hawke's Bay area commander Ken Cooper said a fire engine from Taupo was on the scene.

Two fire engines from Napier, along with a level-three advanced rescue team from Hamilton are also en-route to the accident.

Cooper said the two were trapped on the bank but not in the vehicle. They could be seen by rescuers, he said.

Cooper said the response was reasonably well coordinated, and it was "just a case of bringing the people to safety".

The road was closed as the rescue took place but opened at 11.50am.