Three injured in crash at Paekakariki

File photo / NZ Herald

Despite two near-fatal crashes this Labour weekend, no-one has yet been killed on the roads during the notoriously dangerous period.

Three people were injured, one critically, in a two-car crash north of Wellington this morning (Sunday).

An ambulance spokeswoman said the crash occurred on State Highway 1 at Paekakariki shortly before 4.30am.

A woman was taken in the Westpac Rescue Helicopter to Wellington Hospital where she remained in a critical condition this afternoon.

Two others were taken to the hospital by road ambulance. A hospital spokesman said a woman was in a serious condition and a man was discharged after being assessed.

Police closed the road for about an hour this morning while they carried out their scene examination.

Yesterday, four people, including a young child, were taken to hospital following a collision between a car and fire truck south of Auckland.

Emergency services said the crash occurred at about 3.30pm, on the corner of Belgium Rd and East St in Pukekohe.

Ambulance northern communications centre team leader Norm Ngatai confirmed one person had serious injuries.

Three others, including ``a young child'' had been moderately injured.

Eyewitness Carolyn Bromhead was heading into town and passed the accident scene.

``At this stage they were still trying to cut the people out of the car,'' she said. ``It's terrible.''

Local resident Brian Leathem said it seemed the fire engine had swerved to try to avoid the car then struck a light pole, which toppled onto another vehicle.

If there are no fatalities on the roads this long weekend, it will be the first time since records began in 1956.

The official holiday period began at 4pm on Friday and ends at 6am Tuesday.