Paramedic stable after fatal ambulance crash

The scene of the crash. Photo / Michael Cunningham

A St John paramedic involved in an ambulance crash in Northland this morning is now in a stable condition in hospital.

Police have released a statement saying two other St John staffers who were in the ambulance - which hit a powerpole in Moerewa early this morning - were initially taken to hospital but have since been discharged.

A patient, whose gender and age have not yet been revealed, was being transported in the ambulance vehicle when the crash occurred. The patient later died.

Police say it is not yet known whether the crash was a contributing factor to the person's death and that an investigation is now underway as a result.

Senior Sergeant Chris McLellan, of Northland District Police, said support for the patient's family has been organised, as well as that for the paramedic staff involved in the accident.

A patient in a critical condition travelling in the back of an ambulance has died after the vehicle hit a power pole.

Northland Emergency Services Helicopter Trust pilot Pete Turnbull said he flew two paramedics from Whangarei to Moerewa this morning.

"It became apparent en route that there was one of their own involved in the crash," he said.

Police say it is not known if the crash contributed to the patient's death.

Senior Sergeant Chris McLellan, Area Prevention Manger of Northland District Police said Police have completed initial investigations of the crash.

Police will work with the family of the deceased and St John staff who were involved

"Ambulance staff go out every day to save lives and it's very unfortunate that in this case that there's been a crash.

"One of the St John ambulance officers attending the patient has suffered minor to moderate injuries," he said.

The scene of the crash in Moerewa. Photo / Supplied by Michele Mahanga

SH1 has been reopened after the crash and traffic is flowing well.

Update: SH1 in Moerewa is now OPEN with a Stop/Go in place. Take extra care and expect #delays. ^LC

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) July 20, 2015

Georgina Davis of Moerewa BP said that the service station was without power due to the accident.

She said the Ambulance may have been travelling south, from Kerikeri and a rescue helicopter was in attendance.

"Everything's all blocked up and closed off. We just heard the sirens."

Electricity network supplier Top Energy says a power outage caused by the crash, that has affected about 15 streets, should be fixed by 2pm.

Michele Mahanga, who was at the scene, said the small town's priest was with emergency services and said a karakia.

"They were huddled around the back of the crashed ambulance."

One person was killed in the crash this morning. Photo / Supplied by Michele Mahanga

She said there was no rain in the area this morning, and the accident occurred on a straight part of the road at the corner of Nisbet St and George St.

The accident comes just days after a man was taken to hospital in a serious condition after his car hit a power pole on Saturday.