Teen cut from car after crashing into tree

A driver collided with a tree on Hamurana Rd on Monday night, suffering serious injuries. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

A 17-year-old driver had to be cut free from his car after crashing into a tree.

The crash happened about 7.30pm on Monday on Hamurana Rd and has prompted police to warn drivers about the dangerous stretch of road because trees sit close to the road edge.

Sergeant Dave Hamilton of the Rotorua police traffic unit said a car following the teenager was the first on the scene and called emergency services.

He said speed and alcohol were not considered factors but the weather at the time was wet and blustery.

The stretch of Hamurana Rd where the crash took place last night. Photo/Stephen Parker

"The car following behind said there was nothing wrong with the car's driving ... He has hit a tree on the side of the road. To be fair that stretch of road has a few trees on the edge of the road and there's not a lot of room on the left."

Mr Hamilton said the teenager was fully conscious and alert while he was being rescued.

The driver was initially described by St John Ambulance as being in a life or death condition because he was trapped in his vehicle.

St John Lakes area territorial manager Hilary MorrishAllen said the driver was freed from the vehicle and taken to Rotorua Hospital with multiple injuries.

A Rotorua Hospital spokeswoman said yesterday the teenager was in a stable condition. Rotorua Fire Brigade senior station officer Richard Anastasi said two fire trucks from Rotorua and two from the Ngongotaha Volunteer Brigade attended the crash.

They used hydraulic rescue equipment to free the teenager from the car, which took 30 minutes.