Major emergency response under way in Waikato, crash near Paeroa leaves one critical and one badly injured

The crash happened at the intersection of State Highway 26 and Paeroa-Tahuna Rd in Tirohia. Photo / Google Maps

A major emergency response is under way and two people are badly injured after several people were thrown down a bank in a serious crash near Paeroa.

Police said they received a report of a single-vehicle crash at the intersection of State Highway 26 and Paeroa-Tahuna Rd in Tirohia about 5pm.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand shift manager Josh Pennefather told the Herald there were “a number of people down a bank from a vehicle”.

“We are working to get them up the bank with our rescue baskets.”

Hato Hone St John said they were treating one person in a serious condition and one in critical condition.

A spokesperson told the Herald a critical care unit and an ambulance were at the scene, while two helicopters were responding and another ambulance was on the way.

Police said the road was closed while emergency services attended.

“Motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible and take an alternate route.”

Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.