A 12-year-old boy suffered serious head, abdominal and leg injuries in a three-vehicle road smash near Atiamuri.
The boy was one of two people airlifted to Waikato Hospital after the serious crash on SH1 south of Atiamuri.
The crash happened about 2pm yesterday near the Ohakuri Rd turnoff, halfway between Taupo and Tokoroa.
Police believed a car had crossed the centre line before hitting the side of a horse float truck.
Senior Sergeant Fane Troy, of Taupo police, said the driver seemed to have lost control before crashing head-on with a second vehicle, travelling behind the truck.