Seven hurt in two-car crash

071214bf35 A serious crash in Ngongotaha has left seven people injured, two in a serious condition. 7 December 2014 Rotorua Daily Post Photograph by Ben Fraser

A serious crash in Ngongotaha has left seven people injured, two in a serious condition.

The two-vehicle crash occurred on Ngongotaha Rd (State Highway 36) outside the fire station about 4.30pm yesterday. The section of the road was cordoned off for several hours while emergency services helped to free the injured occupants, including children.

A St John ambulance spokesman said there were a total of eight occupants in the vehicles and seven were injured. The fire service had to cut one person out of their vehicle.

Two people were in a serious condition and five others sustained moderate injuries, he said. They were transported to Rotorua Hospital, some by road and a child by rescue helicopter.

The Tauranga based Trustpower TECT Rescue helicopter was dispatched to the crash and transported a 13-year-old Rotorua girl who had received serious leg injuries in the crash to Rotorua Hospital for further treatment.

The ages and genders of the other occupants could not be confirmed by the time the Rotorua Daily Post went to print last night.

A nearby resident, who did not want to be named, said he heard a loud crash and went to investigate.

"We heard this woman screaming and saw the family in the car.

"The Ngongotaha fire guys were there straight away and locals were trying to help pull them from their car.

"There's cars always speeding on this road, they nearly drive through [residents' fences] it can be pretty dangerous and you have to watch out for people crossing too," he said.

Police were diverting traffic through Stembridge and Kokiri Rds yesterday and advised drivers to avoid the area by travelling via Western Rd and State Highway 5.