Two injured in Taranaki crash

File photo

Two people are in hospital after a car and a camper van collided in north Taranaki this afternoon.

Emergency services were called about 3.15pm to the crash on State Highway 3 near the summit of Mt Messenger, 58km northeast of New Plymouth.

Inspector Marty Parker of the police central communications centre said the highway had to be closed for a time to allow a rescue helicopter to access the crash scene.

"We have reports of two people injured, one of whom was drifting in and out of consciousness," he told NZPA.

An ambulance spokeswoman said one of the injured people was airlifted to Taranaki Hospital and the other transported by road. Both had moderate injuries.

She said a third person involved in the crash was uninjured.

Mr Parker said the road was cleared and re-opened shortly after the helicopter left.

- NZPA