State Highway 5 crash near Rotorua: Person with severe injuries airlifted to Middlemore Hospital

One person has been airlifted to hospital with severe injuries following a crash near Rotorua.

Emergency services including a helicopter were called to the two-vehicle crash on State Highway 5 near Barker Rd, west of the city around 4pm on Wednesday.

A Hato Hone St John spokesman said one person was airlifted to Middlemore Hospital with severe injuries while five others were treated at the scene and did not need to go to hospital.

NZ Transport Agency said the highway reopened at 8.10pm.

The Serious Crash Unit has been advised.