Serious injuries after crash south of Rotorua

Two people have been seriously injured in a crash south of Rotorua this afternoon.

A police spokeswoman said they were called at 12.56pm to a two car crash on Apirana Rd, near the intersection of State Highway 30 in Horohoro.

A St John spokeswoman said two people had been taken in two separate helicopters to Waikato Hospital.

Both had serious injuries.

A third person was taken by road, in an ambulance, to Waikato Hospital with moderate injuries.

A police statement said the road was currently closed, and motorists were asked to avoid the area.

Earlier a fire communications spokesman said the people had been trapped.

Emergency services are attending a crash near Horohoro on State Highway 30. Photo / Leah Tebbutt

A reporter at the scene said it was a two-car head-on crash and police had closed one lane of the road and were directing traffic.