Two seriously injured in State Highway 5 crash near Rotorua

The highway is likely to be closed for some time. Photo / File

Two people are seriously injured following a two-vehicle crash on State Highway Wednesday evening.

Emergency services were called about 5.30pm to Ngatira in South Waikato and the highway was closed between Tapapa and Mamaku on the outskirts of Rotorua for several hours.

The road reopened around 7.45pm.

Diversions were put in place at Tapapa Rd and Oturoa Rd.

SH5 NGATIRA – ROAD OPEN FINAL UPDATE - 6.30AM, THU 19 MAR This section of SH5 reopened to all traffic around 7.45pm...

Posted by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Waikato BoP on Tuesday, 17 March 2020

The Serious Crash Unit, Fire and Emergency NZ, and St John were called to the scene.

A motorist held up in the queue of traffic, who did not want to be named, told the Rotorua Daily Post there were several emergency vehicles at the scene, including a rescue helicopter.

She said several cars in the queue were making u-turns and heading back to Rotorua.

St John said two people were treated for serious injuries and airlifted to Waikato Hospital.