Two in critical condition after South Auckland crash

A mother and son are in a critical condition in Middlemore Hospital after a crash in south Auckland today, which left ten people injured.

Police have yet to establish exactly what happened in the crash which closed the north-bound exit of the Southern Motorway at Papakura for nearly two hours.

The woman, 41, and her son, 8, were taken to hospital after the Mitsubishi sedan which the woman was driving collided with a Honda Odyssey on Hingaia Road, which passes over Auckland's Southern Motorway at the Papakura interchange.

"They are both in need of surgery and are in a very serious condition," Sergeant Emiel Logan of Papakura police said.

Mr Logan said eight other people were taken to Middlemore Hospital as a result of the 8.10am crash.

One of the eight had critical injuries but their condition has since improved to serious. Two others had serious injuries and the other five moderate injuries.

Mr Logan said the Mitsubishi, which had three occupants, and the Honda, with seven occupants, were both taking children to school.

The accident happened in a 70km/h zone at a busy time for commuters, Sergeant Logan said.

The Police's Serious Crash Unit is investigating but has yet to determine the cause.

Parts of Hingaia Rd have been covered with grit to soak up the oil and water from the accident.

The off-ramp was closed immediately but re-opened shortly after 10am.