UPDATED: One person has died following a car and truck crash on State Highway 27.

Two other people were seriously injured when the vehicle crashed just north of the No.9 Rd just after 6am.

One person has died in a crash on SH27. Photo: Phillipa Yalden/Fairfax NZ.

Police initially reported that three people were seriously injured in the crash, but one person has since died.

Northern Fire Communications shift manager Steve Smith says two other people were freed from the wreckage of a black sedan by firefighters using cutting equipment.

A 12-year-old girl has been airlifted to hospital, while the second person has been taken to hospital via a road ambulance.

The truck driver was also injured in the crash and transported to hospital via ambulance.

The impact of the crash crumpled the front of the truck and left the car a wreck in the ditch on the side of the highway.

A police officer at the scene confirmed the truck was carrying tyres, some of which were left strewn in the nearby paddock.

The serious crash unit is investigating.

The road is expected to remain closed for several hours and people are being diverted at Whakahoro and SH27, and Manhire Road and SH27.

Earlier:

Three people have been seriously injured in a crash involving a car and truck this morning.

The vehicles crash on State Highway 27, near Te Puninga in Matamata-Piako, around 6am.

Police says three occupants from the car have been seriously injured and are receiving medical treatment.

'Emergency services are at the scene and the Police Serious Crash Unit will be investigating the cause of the crash.

'Currently the crash site section of the road is closed on SH27 and diversions are in place at: Whakahoro and SH27, and Manhire Rd and SH27.”

The road is expected to remain closed for several hours.

- Additional reporting by Phillipa Yalden/Stuff.co.nz