Update: Woman seriously injured as car rolls

FILE

An Opotiki woman has been seriously injured when the car she was in rolled in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

Whakatane traffic Sergeant Ray Wylie said emergency services were called to the crash on State Highway 35 between Opotiki and Tirohanga about 12.45am today.

"Initial inquiries indicate a vehicle and its five occupants were travelling west towards Opotiki when they left the road and subsequently rolled," Mr Wylie said.

A female passenger was airlifted to Waikato Hospital in a critical condition while a man was transported to Whakatane Hospital with moderate injuries.

Mr Wylie said police were looking at whether alcohol was a factor and whether the driver was fully licenced. The serious crash team is investigating.

"This once again highlights the effects of drinking and driving. Someone has been critically injured and another person moderately injured in this crash.

"What does it take before people realise that the two don't mix, despite all the media coverage, some just don't get it".

He said the number of fatal crashes involving alcohol in the Eastern Bay of Plenty in the past two years had shown a downward trend and police want it to continue.

"The message is very clear, don't drink and drive."

A Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter spokeswoman said the helicopter was called to transport the 22-year-old Opotiki woman to Waikato Hospital.

She said the woman suffered serious chest and spinal injuries.