A state highway has been re-opened after a crash in Eskdale, near Napier.
The road was re-opened about lunchtime and traffic was moving again as contractors clear the site of the two-car crash at about 9.30am.
Two cars were involved, with two occupants of one vehicle needing to be extracted by emergency services. Police this afternoon said both were in serious conditions.
One person managed to get themselves out of the other vehicle.
Motorists were asked to avoid the area of SH5 near Ellis Wallace Road if possible and drive carefully as it was still raining and visibility was poor.
Traffic queues built up as the Napier Taupo Road was down to one lane.