Woman discharged after car crashes into tree in Central Hawke's Bay

Police were called to the single-car crash at 8.40am on River Rd, near Otane. Photo / Supplied

A woman in her 40s has been discharged from hospital after a car crashed off a rural road and into a tree in Central Hawke's Bay.

Police were called to the single-car crash on River Rd, near Otane, at 8.40am on Thursday.

The sole occupant of the car, who was trapped in her vehicle after the impact, was freed by fire and emergency crews at the scene.

She was treated by St John ambulance staff for serious injuries before being transported via rescue helicopter to Hawke's Bay Hospital.

A Hawke's Bay District Health Board spokeswoman said the woman was discharged from hospital on Thursday afternoon.

A police officer at the scene said the car had failed to take a bend in the road. Investigations were under way. They described the woman as "very lucky" to be alive.