Photos from the scene showed the van severely damaged, but still filled with parcels. Photo / Warren Buckland
Two people were injured, one person trapped, a NZ Post delivery van smashed, and 70 parcels were damaged as two separate crashes caused problems on Hawke's Bay state highways within 40 minutes.
Police were called to a three-vehicle crash on Korokipo Rd, State Highway 50, near the intersection with Links Rd, Waiohiki, about 8.50am on Wednesday.
A van rolled in the three-car collision, that also involved a car and a commercial truck, after being hit from behind. One person involved in the crash was trapped as a result.
A NZ Post spokeswoman confirmed a Rural Post van was involved in the accident.
"As the packages have not yet been delivered the contract of carriage has not been complete so the sender of the goods will still be responsible for the packages and will process the claims.
"The sender will usually send a replacement then go through the claim team to process."
Police at the time of the crash advised people to avoid the area, and Korokipo Rd was completely blocked for roughly an hour.
A towing company and council clean up crew were required because of the amount of debris and glass on the road.
Earlier in the morning, one lane was blocked on State Highway 2, near Otane, following a two-vehicle crash.
Emergency services were at the scene near Te Aute College about 8.10am on Wednesday.
A St John ambulance spokeswoman said two people were injured in the crash.
One patient with moderate injuries and another with minor injuries were treated.