Fire truck crashes into back of car in Auckland

A woman has been hospitalised after a fire truck rushing to a job crashed into the back of a car she was driving in South Auckland.

The truck was travelling with its lights and sirens on down Chappel Rd, East Tamaki when it collided into the back of a car at the intersection of Smales Rd.

Counties Manukau Police Senior Sergeant Jeremy Field said the crash happened at 11.56am.

"A fire engine was on its way to an incident and a vehicle in front has seen the fire engine coming from behind and braked and as a result the fire engine has ran into the vehicle," he said.

A St John spokeswoman said the woman driving the vehicle was taken to Middlemore Hospital with moderate injuries.

Mr Field said she was complaining of chest pains.

He said the serious crash unit was at the scene.

"They will be investigating if anyone was at fault."

Counties Manukau Fire Service assistant area commander Craig Monrad said the truck involved was from the Howick Station and was responding to a car accident in Whitford.

"As they approached the incident there was a car in front and the driver braked, and as a consequence the truck collected the car and pushed in through the intersection and into the traffic light on the other side of the intersection."

Mr Monrad said it was not the first time a fire truck had crashed on the way to a job, but it was not very common.

"These things happen, but it's unfortunate."

He said it was standard for the police serious crash unit to investigate any crash involving a fire truck and ensure the vehicle complied to road standards.

Police had taken the truck to inspect it, he said.

Mr Monrad said the appliance involved in the crash was the second called to the Whitford incident, with the Otara Station attending to that crash.