Chaos after car crash at National Park

Three rescue helicopter trips were needed when seven people were injured in a National Park car crash on Wednesday night.

Several people were airlifted to Waikato Hospital after the crash, including a woman who yesterday afternoon remained in a critical condition.

The Taupo-based Greenlea rescue helicopter and the Waikato Westpac helicopter both attended the scene to transfer patients. The Waikato helicopter then returned to pick up patients who had been transported by ambulance to Taumarunui Hospital.

Greenlea pilot Nat Every said the crash happened right on the intersection of State Highway 47 and State Highway 48, where one vehicle had come to a stop in a paddock with one left on the road.

Some patients had to be extracted from the vehicle on the road by emergency crews, and it took at least an hour to get the patients into the helicopter, he said. "We landed just before 9pm and we left just after 10pm.

"The [car] on the road had to be cut to pieces by the fire brigade."

Acting Inspector Megan Gouverneur said that around 8pm two vehicles collided at the intersection of SH47 and SH48.

As of yesterday afternoon a woman was in a critical condition while others were either stable condition or under observation in the emergency department. The serious crash unit was investigating.

The crash closed State Highway 47 through National Park at the turn-off to the Chateau for a time and detours were set up at state highways 4 and 46.