Three island crash victims airlifted to Wellington

Three people seriously injured in a four-wheel-drive crash in the Chatham Islands have been airlifted to Wellington Hospital.

The two men and a woman were all thrown from their vehicle when it rolled over early on Saturday afternoon.

The Wellington-based Life Flight NZ fixed-wing ambulance was sent to the Chathams with two specialist flight doctors and two specialist flight nurses, said Life Flight Trust crew chief Dave Greenberg.

All three patients, believed to be Chatham Islands residents, are in Wellington Hospital after arriving about 10pm on Saturday.

A 24-year-old woman found unconscious at the scene has serious head and back injuries.

A youth believed to be about 17 has a serious head injury and was also unconscious.

Another man, about 24, suffered multiple injuries but was still conscious when he was found.

Life Flight NZ crewman Maurice Lobb said it was the most serious accident he had attended on the Chathams.

"Resources out there were stretched to the max," he said.

"They did a remarkable job keeping the three alive until we arrived with more help."

- NZPA