Four people have died after a two-car crash near Rotorua last night.
Emergency services were alerted to the crash on State Highway 5 near Whakarewarewa at about 7.50pm yesterday.
The collision involved two cars carrying seven people, a police spokesperson said this morning.
“Police can now advise that four people have died,” the spokesperson said.
“Three people died at the scene of the crash, one died in hospital after having been transported in a critical condition.
“Two people remain in hospital, one in a critical condition and one in a serious condition.”
Investigations into the circumstances of the crash were ongoing, the spokesperson added.
A Hato Hone St John spokesperson said three ambulances, three operations managers and two rapid response units attended the scene.
“Four patients were transported to Rotorua Hospital, two in critical condition, one in a serious condition, and one in a moderate condition.”
NZTA said in a statement that a section of State Highway 5 would be closed between Whakarewarewa and Waimangu between 1.30pm and 3pm this afternoon to enable a serious crash investigation.
“Plan your journey accordingly or allow extra time for a detour using Waikite Valley Rd & Whirinaki Valley Rd between Waiotapu & Horohoro.”
