KEY POINTS:
Three women were injured, two of them seriously, in a three-car crash 3km south of Tarawera on State Highway 5 today.
Police said the crash happened shortly after noon on the Napier-Taupo road.
The Lowe Corporation rescue helicopter and The Square Trust rescue helicopter were called and two women, both suffering serious injuries, were airlifted to Hawke's Bay Hospital.
A third injured woman was taken to hospital by road.
Two people were trapped for about an hour before being cut free from the wreckage.
The road was expected to be closed until 4.15pm.
- NZPA
