Tourists injured in crash near Omarama

Three people involved in the crash were taken by ambulance to Oamaru Hospital. Photo / File

Five tourists have been injured and taken to hospital following a crash on State Highway 8 near Omarama this morning.

Constable Nayland Smith, of Omarama, said the southbound Honda station wagon lost control on the highway near Ben Omar Rd and rolled at least two times before coming to rest in a paddock.

All five were "overseas tourists", one with New Zealand residency, he said.

They had driven from Christchurch early this morning. Emergency services were called to the scene at 8.59am.

The male driver was trapped in the vehicle and had to be cut out by fire crews, which were sent from Otematata, Omarama and Twizel.

St John South Island spokesman Ian Henderson said two occupants, one with serious injuries and one with minor injuries, were airlifted to Dunedin Hospital.

The other three - one with moderate injuries and two with minor injuries - have been taken by ambulance to Oamaru Hospital.

St John sent two ambulances and a rapid response vehicle, as well as a Prime Response in a Medical Emergency responder from Twizel, the Omarama First Response Unit and the Otago rescue helicopter.