Fatal crash at Paengaroa

Update 9.39AM: One person has died after a car and a milk truck collided at Paengaroa.

Police say four of the five people inside the car were trapped and the fire service was called to extricate them from the vehicle.

Emergency services at the scene of the crash.

Emergency services were called to the crash near the intersection of State Highway 2 and Wilson Rd after a car and truck collided about 8am.

Of the people trapped inside the car, one has died at the scene and three others have critical injuries.

Police say one person got out of the car unassisted and has minor injuries.

Two rescue helicopters have been called to the scene to transport the injured patients to hospital.

The truck driver was not seriously injured and is receiving support from Victim Support.

The Serious Crash Unit and the Commercial Vehcile Investigation Unit are investigating the cause of the crash.

State Highway 2 will remain closed for several hours and diversions around the scene via SH33 and Wilson Rd South are in place.

This is the second fatality for New Zealand's Christmas and New Year road toll season.

The official period runs from 4pm, December 23, and ends at 6am on Monday, January 5.

Earlier report:

Multiple people are injured and several are trapped in the wreckage.

Northern Fire Communications shift manager Megan Ruru says the truck driver is out of the vehicle and there are four people trapped inside the car.

Megan says Maketu Fire Brigade is at the scene and is trying to extricate the people from the car.

A reporter at the scene says a rescue helicopter has just arrived. He says the car is badly damaged and there is debris all over the road.

He reports St John paramedics are assisting patients.

At this stage no status of the victims is available. SH 2 will be closed between the SH 2/33 intersection and the SH 2/Wilson Rd intersection.

Traffic will be diverted away from the scene via Paengaroa township. Further updates will be made when information is available.

More soon.

Do you know more? Send your information to newsroom@thesun.co.nz or phone 0800 SUNLIVE.

Photo: Erina Crichton.

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2 comments

speed

Posted on 28-12-2014 10:57 | By rosscoo

people just wont learn slow down take a bit longer to get where your going.


Shameless

Posted on 28-12-2014 11:02 | By Ducky01

People rubbernecking and taking photos of crash scenes should be absolutely ashamed of themselves. They wouldn't like it if their loved ones were involved and people are so rude to take photos when they are going past. Lucky the emergency services are pretty good at blocking the scene!


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