State Highway 1 crash: One dead, multiple injured after car and truck collide, four helicopters sent

The crash happened near Rangipo on SH1 in the Central North Island. Image / Waka Kotahi

One person has died and several others injured in a crash between a car and a truck in the central North Island.

State Highway 1 at Rangipo remains closed.

Two critically injured people were airlifted to Waikato Hospital and two were taken to Taupō Hospital with moderate injuries, a Hato Hone St John spokeswoman said.

Police confirmed one of the injured had died.

Multiple emergency services, including four helicopters, were sent to the crash near the Rotoaira Rd intersection, just after 10am.

At least nine ambulance units were sent to the scene, the spokeswoman said.

A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesman said seven fire trucks had been sent to the scene from Tūrangi, Taupō and Rotorua.

Intially one person was trapped in a light truck and another in a car.

The road is closed and motorists are advised to take an alternate route, police said.

The Serious Crash Unit has been advised.

More to come.