A man is dead and three others are in a critical condition at Tauranga Hospital after a truck and car collided at Paengaroa this morning.

Emergency services at the crash scene. Photos by: Cameron Avery.

Emergency services were called to the scene on State Highway 2, near Te Puke at the intersection of Wilson Rd about 8am.

The Rotorua-based BayTrust Rescue Helicopter and Tauranga-based TrustPower TECT Rescue Helicopter were also called to the crash.

Western Bay of Plenty area commander Inspector Clifford Paxton says a car containing three men and two women turned right out of Wilson Rd to travel south on SH 2 and collided with a truck and trailer heading north.

'A blue vehicle was travelling along Wilson Rd south, Te Puke. That vehicle has exited Wilson Rd south on SH 2 to head in a southerly direction.

'The car was struck by a north bound truck and trailer which has moved the blue vehicle quite a considerable distance further down the road.”

One man from the car died at the scene, while two women and a man are in critical condition at Tauranga Hospital. A third man suffered minor injuries. The truck driver was not injured in the incident.

Bay of Plenty District Health Board communications manager Diana Marriott says one man is being transported from Tauranga Hospital to Waikato Hospital in a critical condition.

The Hamilton-based Westpac Rescue Helicopter transported the man to Waikato Hospital about 1pm.

A rescue helicopter pilot says the man was flown low level in a critical condition under care of a Waikato Hospital Intensive Care flight team.

"He has a critical head injury and multiple other injuries."

Diana says two women are also in critical condition at Tauranga Hospital.

'At this stage they're all unidentified.”

This is the second fatal crash in the Bay of Plenty District this week and police are urging everyone to plan their trips, take their time, abide by all road rules and drive to survive.

Clifford is urging drivers to take extra care on the roads, particularly around intersections.

'At this time of the year we urge motorists to take extreme care as the roads are very busy.

'Allow plenty of time for your journey make sure you leave plenty of space between yourselves and the people ahead. Obey the road rules, particularly at intersections.”

SH 2 is now open following the crash. The Serious Crash Unit and the Commercial Vehcile Investigation Unit are investigating the cause of the crash.