The cause of Friday afternoon's three car crash at Apata remains unconfirmed today as police are still in the process of interviewing witnesses from the scene.

Three people were taken to hospital following the 3.30pm crash on the Apata bends, which blocked the highway and seriously backed up traffic in both directions.

A claim that one of the drivers fell asleep remains unconfirmed, says acting Western Bay of Plenty road policing manger Senior Sergeant Wayne Hunter.

'We don't know what happened yet.”

The woman who is alleged to have crossed the centre line told the first person who reached the scene that she had fallen asleep, says Wayne.

'That is why there is that rumour. We have no facts on that at all because we haven't interviewed them all. That's why there is that rumour, but it is unverified.”

Three three people injured are all fine.

Once they got to Tauranga Hospital and were assessed, it was found they were not as badly hurt as it was first believed, says Wayne.