Speed, booze cited in car vs ambulance crash

Speed and alcohol were believed to have been a factor in a head-on crash between a car and ambulance in Waikato last night.

The crash happened on State Highway 3 near the turnoff to the Hamilton Aero Club, and left three people with minor injuries.

Police said it appeared the car failed to take a bend before colliding with the ambulance, leaving it overturned.

Speed and alcohol were factors in the crash, Sergeant Warren Shaw of Te Awamutu strategic traffic unit said.

The two St John Ambulance crew members and a bystander received minor injuries and were taken to Waikato Hospital.

There were no patients in the ambulance during the crash.

The car's 19-year-old male driver fled on foot but was found by police and breath tested.

He was nearly six times over the legal alcohol limit of 150 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath.

SH3 was closed for a short time for the vehicles to be recovered and an initial crash analysis.

- NZPA