Three hurt, one critical after crash

FILE

One person has been taken to Waikato Hospital with critical injuries following a crash on the western side of Lake Taupo this morning.

A car carrying three passengers went off State Highway 41 near Kuratau School and into bush about 3:30am.

One occupant was taken to Waikato Hospital. The other occupants were taken to Taupo Hospital with minor injuries.

Inspector Willie Taylor of Northern police communications said police was still investigating the crash.

"It's a straight piece of road so it's hard to know how they came off it," he said.

Police had to chop back trees to get to the vehicle, he said.

Meanwhile, police had attended several other minor accidents this morning, he said.

"The weather hasn't been the best. People need to drive to the conditions."