Six people who were trapped in van which crashed 40m down a bank off the Napier-Taupo Rd have been rescued.
Police said the six passengers were winched up the bank by helicopter after being extracted from the van by emergency services.
One passenger was in critical condition, while the others had serious injuries.
The van crashed carrying eight people, but one seriously injured man was able to escape and reach the road carrying a six-month-old baby, and wave down a passing motorist for help.
Police senior sergeant Marc Clausen said all off the trapped passengers had now been removed from the van.