Crash at Waimana on State Highway 2 near Whakatāne injures four

Police are responding to a crash at Waimana in the eastern Bay of Plenty.

Four people have been injured – two seriously – in a crash blocking a highway south of Whakatāne in the Bay of Plenty.

Emergency services are responding to a two-vehicle crash on State Highway 2, near Fraser Rd, in Waimana, police said in a statement.

The crash was reported at 11.45am.

“It appears two people are in a serious condition and one person is in a moderate condition.

“The road is blocked and motorists are advised to take an [alternative] route,” the statement said.

A police spokesman said the vehicles involved were a hatchback and a light van.

Diversions were in place.

A Hato Hone St John spokesman said four patients were assessed at the scene and taken to Whakatāne Hospital.

Two were seriously injured, one moderately and one had minor injuries.

Three ambulances and two rapid response vehicles were sent from Whakatāne and Ōpōtiki.