Patient airlifted after crash near isolated Putorino

Workmen clear the scene of a crash in which a truck spilled a load of what were understood to be demolition materials at the roundabout intersection of Hyderabad and Pandora roads, Napier. A large excavator was used to load materials, including concrete, onto a truck while southbound traffic was detoured. Photo / Doug Laing

One person is understood to have minor injuries after a motor vehicle crash this afternoon near isolated Northern Hawke’s Bay state highway township Putorino.

Police said the crash happened at the intersection Waikare and Glenbrook roads about 2.40pm, and just one vehicle was involved.

It was understood to have overturned but the occupant was able to get out of the vehicle.

A Lowe Corporation Hawke’s Bay Rescue Helicopter Service crew from Hastings flew to the scene, which has been isolated by the closure of State Highway to the south in the vicinity of the Devil’s Elbow and to the north by the collapse of a bridge over the Waikare River, since the major impact of Cyclone Gabrielle on February 13-14.

One patient was reported to being flown to Hawke’s Bay Hospital and reached the area about 3.30pm, but no further details were immediately available.

It was the third of at least three crashes reported in cyclone-torn Hawke’s Bay in fewer than 24 hours, but no serious injuries had been reported.

Traffic about a busy Napier roundabout and intersection was disrupted for about two hours late on Monday afternoon after a truck overturned and spilled a load of what were understood to be demolition materials.

Emergency services were called to the mishap at 3.53pm, and found the truck and load blocking a lane at the Hyderabad and Pandora roads intersection roundabout.

No one was reported injured, but an excavator and work crew worked for about two hours to clear the southbound lane, traffic for which was diverted through Ahuriri.

It was thought no other vehicle was involved, police said.

There were also no reported injuries in a two-vehicle crash about 5.15pm on Monday in Longlands Rd East, Hastings. Police said one of the vehicles overturned.