Two people were seriously hurt when a light truck and car collided north of Wairao this morning, blocking State Highway 2.
The crash happened about 8.50am near the Whakaki Marae.
"Two people in the vehicles were seriously injured," a police spokesman said.
The ECT rescue helicopter from Gisborne and the Lowe Corporation helicopter from Hastings were called to the accident scene to take the injured to hospital.
"A temporary detour was put in place," police said.