One killed, six injured in SH36 crash

File photo / NZ Herald

A person has died and half a dozen people injured in a car crash near Ngongotaha.

A St John Ambulance northern communications spokesman said the crash happened on State Highway 36 (Hamurana Rd) about 1.40pm.

He said it appeared six people were injured when a van collided with another vehicle.

One person sustained critical injuries and died while being transferred by ambulance to Rotorua Hospital, he said.

Another person, a man believed to be in his 50s, was in a critical condition and was being transferred to Rotorua Hospital.

Two others sustained moderate injuries, while the remaining two suffered minor injuries.

All were being transferred to Rotorua Hospital.

He said he did not know any further details about the patients or the person who died.

Police and emergency services were at the scene.

A Rotorua Daily Post reporter who was at the scene said Hamurana Rd/State Highway 36 was closed with northbound traffic diverted through to Dalbeth Rd.