The Napier-Taupo Road has now reopened after a van plunged 6m down a bank early today.
Traffic was reduced to a single lane after the vehicle left the road about three kilometres north of Te Pohue at about 3.20am and ended up 6m down a bank, trapping two people inside.
The fire service had to cut free the driver and passenger.
A man and woman were taken to Hawke's Bay Hospital suffering moderate to severe injuries, he said.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
