Truck driver in Bay of Plenty crash flown to Whakatāne Hospital, moderate injuries

Photo / File

The driver of a truck involved in a crash in the Eastern Bay of Plenty has been flown to Whakatāne Hospital with moderate injuries.

A police spokeswoman earlier said they were called to the scene on State Highway 2 near Waioeka about 1.10pm on Monday.

St John Ambulance spokeswoman said the freed driver was flown to Whakatāne Hospital in a rescue helicopter from Gisborne about 3.10pm.

The patient had suffered moderate injuries, she said.

A section of the highway was closed for several hours between Gisborne and Ōpōtiki this afternoon while emergency services and the Serious Crash Unit attended the scene.

State Highway 2, Waioeka Gorge has reopened to one lane.

According to the NZ Transport Agency's website, motorists should expect delays to continue through the crash area until the scene was completely cleared.

A police spokeswoman said traffic management staff were working to clear the scene as quickly as possible.