Man still critical after crash that injured seven

Photo / File

One man remained in a critical condition at Hawke's Bay Hospital this morning after collision between a van and a logging truck in Hawkes Bay yesterday.

All seven occupants of the van were injured in the accident, a Hawke's Bay Helicopter Rescue Trust spokeswoman said.

The crash occurred about 4.10pm on Putere Rd, a gravel forestry road near Wairoa.

The Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter airlifted a 28-year-old man to hospital with major abdominal injuries and broken legs.

The helicopter crew made a second flight to the Ruapunga Rugby Grounds were they airlifted two men aged in their 20s who had been transported by road ambulance from the accident scene. One of the men had back injuries and the other had an arm injury.

Two of the men were in a critical condition last night and two others were seriously injured, police said. Three were moderately injured.

The Eastern Rescue Helicopter airlifted two men from the scene. The remaining three injured men were taken by ambulance, the spokeswoman said.

This morning one man remained in a critical condition in hospital. Four others were in a stable condition and two had been discharged.

The logging truck driver was believed to be unhurt.

The serious crash unit was investigating.

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