Two people hospitalised after head-on collision

Photo / Alecia Rousseau / Manawatu Guardian

Two people have been taken to hospital following a head-on collision outside Palmerston North this afternoon.

The crash occurred shortly before 4.15pm at the junction of State Highway 3 and Stewart Rd between Palmerston North and Sanson, police said.

One man was trapped inside a hatchback, which was badly damaged by the collision, and had to be freed by firefighters.

The hatchback and another vehicle collided head-on, police at the scene said.

Fire Service and ambulance personnel helped cut the man out of the vehicle.

At the time he was described as conscious and talking to rescuers.

After he was freed he was taken to Palmerston North Hospital in a serious condition, ambulance shift manager Anita Halbert said.

The female driver of a second vehicle reportedly walked away from the crash, but was also taken to the same hospital in a moderate condition.

One lane of the road was blocked for a time.