One woman remains critical in Rotorua Hospital after two-vehicle Tikitere crash

One woman remains in a critical condition at Rotorua Hospital after a two-car collision in Tikitere this morning.

Police are seeking witnesses to the collision at the intersection of State Highways 30 and 33, near the Hell's Gate tourist attraction, shortly after 9.30am. The woman was initially trapped in one of the vehicles and had to be freed by fire crews before being taken by road ambulance to hospital.

A man was also taken to hospital with serious injuries and is now in a stable condition.

Traffic is backed up along State Highway 30 after a two vehicle collision. Photo / Ben Fraser

Traffic was backed up for some time with the intersection operating at one lane. A tow truck was called to remove the vehicles.

Rotorua police Senior Constable Regan Framp said police were keen to speak to witnesses, most of whom had left the scene by the time police arrived.

The serious crash unit is investigating and police ask that witnesses call Rotorua police on (07) 348 0099 or the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.

New Zealand Transport Agency transport system manager Rob Campbell said there were six crashes reported to police at that intersection last year.

"Most were caused by head-on collisions or cars running off the road and hitting roadside hazards such as trees, power poles or ditches.

"People will always make mistakes, but there are changes we can make to the road so simple mistakes don't cost lives.

"Road and roadside safety improvements are proposed for this 3.2km section of State Highway 30 from Owhata to the outskirts of Rotorua near Te Ngae."