Two people had made it out of the upside-down vehicle, she said.
Emergency services stand around a car that was involved in the crash. Photo / Andrew Warner
The second car involved in the crash was still on Sunset Rd but the spokeswoman said the occupants of that vehicle had run from the scene.
This morning, a police spokeswoman said the occupants of the second car had not been found and inquiries into how many people were in the car were continuing.
A St John spokeswoman said two ambulances and one helicopter were sent to the scene.
Two people with serious injuries were taken to Rotorua Hospital by ambulance, she said.
One of those patients was then taken to Waikato Hospital by helicopter, their status having been upgraded to critical.
The injured people were in the car that was in the creek. It was originally thought one of them was critically injured but their injuries were later downgraded to serious.
A woman who drove past the crash scene said she estimated there were about 150 to 200 people standing nearby.
The scene on the corner of Sunset and Wrigley Rds. Photo / Andrew Warner
She said she drove past it and turned around and drove back to have another look but she didn't stop.
"There were just too many people. There were stacks of people. It was massive."
She said there were about three fire engines, police and ambulance in attendance.
"Someone was lying on the grass verge and didn't look in a good way."
The scene tonight at the crash on the corner of Sunset and Wrigley Rds. Photo / Andrew Warner