A car flipped onto its side while driving along State Highway 2 in Tauranga on Thursday evening.

The single-car crash happened in Bethlehem near the Waihi Road on-ramp, says a police spokeswoman.

One person suffered moderate to serious injuries and was taken to Tauranga Hospital.

Traffic was at a standstill while a tow truck took away the car.

It appears there had been some water on the road where the car overturned, says police.

Contractors were called to clear the water.

-Stuff.co.nz