Fatigue is believed to have played a part in a serious crash which landed a 19-year-old Tauranga man in hospital with serious injuries.

State Highway 29 was closed at around 3pm yesterday after a van hit a B-train truck on the Kaimai Range.

A 19-year-old Tauranga man had to be cut from a van after crashing with a truck on the Kaimai Range. Photo: Luke Balvert.

Western Bay of Plenty road policing manager Senior Sergeant Ian Campion says the van was travelling towards the Waikato when it crossed the centreline and sideswiped the truck travelling in the opposite direction.

Both vehicles sustained damage in the crash.

'Early indications are that fatigue may have played a part in this crash,” says Ian.

'The 19-year-old local man who was driving was trapped for quite a while and was freed by the fire service.

'He was taken to Tauranga Hospital with serious injuries to the right side of his body.”

Ian understands the man underwent surgery yesterday and remains in hospital.

During the hour-long road closure diversions were in place at Rapurapu Road, on the Matamata side of the Kaimai Range, and up on Cambridge Road.

Ian says some of the light traffic that was up towards the crash was filtered through Old Kaimai Road.

Shortly before 4pm, the road was opened to one lane to allow heavy motor vehicles through and both lanes were re-opened at about 4.10pm.

Ian is pleading with people to make sure they are well rested before driving and take regular breaks if on a long journey.

'Without sounding like a broken record, people need to make sure they have had a significant rest before embarking on long trips,” he says.

'If you're feeling tired, pull over and stop.”

Shortly after the crash on the range, police were called to a two car head-on crash on Lund Road at about 4.53pm.

'One of the vehicles crossed the centreline after being distracted, causing the head-on crash,” he adds. 'Both drivers were taken to Tauranga Hospital with minor injuries.”

Ian says the investigation into the crash is continuing and charges are likely.