Three killed in car smash

Three people have been killed and two are in a critical condition after a horror car smash just south of Waihi.

The accident happened on State Highway 2 about 10 minutes to midnight.

Emergency services are at the scene and two helicopters have been organised to transport the critically-injured to a hospital, because of adverse weather conditions.

A spokeswoman for the northern ambulance communications centre confirmed that three people had been killed in the accident.

Police last night said there were several vehicles involved in the accident and the road would be closed for some time.

- NZ Herald staff