Two-car pile-up quickly becomes four

NOSE TO TAIL: Police, ambulance and fire crews attended a four-car pile-up on SH2, near the entrance to Pekapeka Wetland, yesterday afternoon. One man was taken to Hawke's Bay Hospital and was later discharged. PHOTO/DUNCAN BROWN

One man was taken to hospital after a four-car pile-up on State Highway 2 near the Pekapeka Wetland yesterday.

Police Acting Sergeant Taina Puketapu said a northbound vehicle was turning into the Pekapeka Wetland parking area off SH2 when a following car collided with it. Two other northbound cars had been unable to avoid becoming involved in the collision, which took place about 2.30pm.

The "chain of events" saw a pile-up of the vehicles, but traffic flows were able to continue through the crash site.

Police, ambulance and two fire crews from Hastings attended the scene, although the fire crews were not required and turned back.

One man was taken to Hawke's Bay Hospital by road ambulance following the crash, and his injuries were not life threatening.

A hospital spokeswoman said the man had been discharged yesterday afternoon.

The other drivers involved had only minor injuries.

Mr Puketapu said that driver inattentiveness may have been a contributing factor to the crash, although police investigations were continuing.

He advised motorists to be aware of their following distance from other vehicles at all times.

"We'd just like to reiterate that drivers should make sure they keep their eyes on the road and what they're doing," he said.

"The public have got to be aware of what's happening around them."