Serious injuries and traffic delays after State Highway 5 crash near Rotorua

A crash is blocking State Highway 5 near Rotorua. Photo / Andrew Warner

Three people have been injured, two seriously, after a two-car crash on State Highway 5, west of Rotorua.

A police spokeswoman said they had received multiple reports of the crash near Maraeroa Rd about 1.20pm.

The road was closed. It later reopened with stop/go traffic management in place.

1:40PM - Reports of a crash on #SH5 between Tirau and Ngongotahā near Dalbeth Rd, Hamurana. Follow the directions of emergency services. Please avoid this area or expect delays. ^LB pic.twitter.com/8sriI5W0H1

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Waikato/BoP (@WakaKotahiWaiBP) June 30, 2021

There was initially one person trapped in each of the cars, the spokeswoman said.

A St John spokesman said two ambulances and two helicopters were sent to the scene.

Two people were flown to Waikato Hospital with serious injuries, he said.

Another, with minor injuries, was treated at the scene.

Today, a Waikato District Health Board spokeswoman said both patients were in a stable condition.

It was the second crash on State Highway 5 near Rotorua in 24 hours. On Tuesday night, two people died and five were injured in a two-crash at Waiotapu.

The police spokeswoman said a tow was being arranged for the vehicles involved.

The road was reopened by 3.45pm.