One person has died and two others have critical injuries after a car and bus crash at Piarere on State Highway 1, near Tirau.
Police said the crash occurred just after 2pm today. Emergency services, including the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter, have responded from across the North Island taken the injured to four hospitals.
The Associated Press reported the small bus was carrying 11 international tourists and their driver. There were three people in two other vehicles.
Footage from the scene showed a small white bus with a baggage trailer, damaged and off the side of the road. Two other vehicles, a silver sedan and a black SUV with a canopy had also sustained damage.
Multiple people were injured in the crash, police confirmed to 1News. “Police can now advise one person has died.”
According to a incident report from Hato Hone St John, 13 people were transported to hospitals. Four people were reported to have serious injuries, and seven were moderately injured. The remaining two were in critical condition.
Auckland Westpac Helicopter Trust said it transported two of the patients to hospital. One was a female patient in her teens, who was in a serious condition, and a male patient in his 40’s, who was in a serious condition.
“State Highway 1 remains closed at the crash scene, near the intersection with Paparamu Rd,” police said.
“Motorists are asked to take alternative routes where possible, or delay travel.”
Earlier, a Fire and Emergency spokesperson said a crew was preparing for a rescue, and “one person is trapped in each vehicle”.
Hato Hone St John said it was notified of the crash at 2.02pm today.
According to St John, seven ambulances were sent to the scene, along with five helicopters, three rapid response units, one major incident support team and two operations managers.
“Patients were taken to Waikato, Rotorua, Tauranga and Auckland hospitals by road and air,” the agency said.
The Auckland Westpac Helicopter Trust said it responded to the incident at about 2.30pm.
The trust also noted the accident involved “multiple patients”, and it was working alongside emergency partners at the callout.
