One dead and four airlifted to hospital after four-car crash

One person is dead and four others have been airlifted to hospital with critical injuries after a four-car crash in Tokoroa this afternoon.

Inspector Andrew Brill said police were alerted to the crash just after 1pm today.

"Several cars were involved, people were trapped and one vehicle was on fire," he told Newstalk ZB.

State Highway 1 is closed and diversions are in place while the Serious Crash Unit investigates.

- NEWSTALK ZB, HERALD ONLINE STAFF