Two teens injured as car hits tree

The scene of the crash at Rerewhakaaitu. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Two teenagers are "extremely lucky to be alive" after their car left the road and hit a tree in Rerewhakaaitu.

Emergency services were called to Brett Rd in Rerewhakaaitu, south of Rotorua, this morning.

A St John Ambulance northern-communications spokesman said it received reports of a car having gone over a bank with two occupants trapped inside at 10.47am.

The scene at the crash near Rerewhakaaitu. PHOTO/GREENLEA RESCUE HELICOPTER

A police spokesman said police and ambulance units arrived on the scene at 11.15am, to find the car suspended part-way over the bank, held up by a tree.

The two teenage males in the vehicle suffered moderate to serious injuries, and were initially treated on-scene while rescue helicopters were called in.

The Taupo-based Greenlea Rescue Helicopter flew a 17-year-old to Waikato Hospital with head injuries.

A hospital spokesman said this evening the 17-year-old was under observation in their emergency department, and in a stable condition.

The Rotorua-based BayTrust Rescue Helicopter flew the other teen to Rotorua Hospital.
He was also stable, and in a comfortable condition.

Station Officer Ken Austin from the Kaingaroa Fire Brigade said the teenagers were "extremely lucky to be alive".

The scene at the crash near Rerewhakaaitu. PHOTO/GREENLEA RESCUE HELICOPTER

Emergency services closed Brett Rd for the two helicopters to land, and while the patients were loaded into the aircraft.

Senior Sergeant Geoff Barnett, of the Bay of Plenty district command centre, said police completed a scene examination and reopened the road shortly afterwards.

An investigation was under way.