Retired firefighter first on the scene at Te Puke crash

A former firefighter was driving past when he saw the crashed vehicle and tried to stabilise the driver and keep him inside the vehicle until an ambulance arrived. Photo/file

A retired firefighter was the first on the scene of a serious crash in Te Puke on Tuesday night.

A car smashed into a tree about 8.50pm and was the only car involved in the crash.

The sole occupant of the vehicle was a 33-year-old man who had been travelling along the Te Puke Highway when he lost control and crashed between Rangiuru Rd and Kenana Rd.

He suffered serious injuries and was recovering in Tauranga Hospital in a stable condition.

The highway was shut as emergency services worked to treat the driver and clear the scene.

Te Puke Volunteer Fire Brigade chief fire officer Glenn Williams said a former firefighter was driving past when he saw the crashed vehicle.

Williams said the former firefighter tried to stabilise the driver and keep him inside the vehicle until an ambulance arrived.

"The car had hit a couple of concrete fence posts and then gone into a tree," Williams said.

He said the car was a "long way" from potentially hitting any residential properties.

Acting Western Bay of Plenty head of road policing Senior Sergeant Wayne Hunter said the crash was still under investigation by the serious crash unit.