Seven people were taken to hospital after a head-on crash as sudden rain caused a treacherous change of conditions on State Highway 5 between Napier and Taupo yesterday.
The crash happened just between Te Pohue and the intersection of the highway and Ohurakura Rd about 9.35am, and police highway patrolman Brian Farquharson said: "It was very slippery."
Mr Farquharson said it took 20 minutes to get to the crash scene, which he said had been well managed by other motorists who had been first to arrive at the site.
He said traffic had been redirected and the injured motorists were tended to by other travellers. While the two vehicles in the crash were badly damaged, injuries were "mainly minor," with all of those involved "very lucky" not to have been more seriously hurt, he said. All of those in the vehicles were from Hawke's Bay. A southbound vehicle driven by a Napier woman went out of control on a bend and crossed into the path of an oncoming vehicle, the driver of which was unable to avoid a collision despite taking evasive action. The seven were taken by St John Ambulance to HB Hospital in Hastings, while the male driver of the northbound vehicle was expected to remain overnight. Crews from the Bay View Volunteer Fire Brigade and the fire service in Napier were called, and road service crew was called because of oil which made conditions on the road treacherous.
As of last night police were pleading with motorists to take care after at least seven people died nationally in a deadly weekend on the country's roads.
