Woman killed, driver injured in crash into rubbish truck

CRASH: The car which hit a stationary rubbish truck is loaded on to a tow truck. PHOTOS/STEPHEN PARKER 300813SP7

A woman was killed and another woman airlifted to hospital after they crashed into the back of a stationary rubbish truck near Edgecumbe.

The 88-year-old who was injured was driving a Ford Laser on Otakiri Rd yesterday around 3pm when the crash happened. She was airlifted to Tauranga Hospital by the Tauranga-based TrustPower TECT Rescue Helicopter.

Helicopter pilot Liam Brettkelly said the woman received a head injury and was in a moderate condition.

The passenger who died was 65. Whakatane police serious crash unit is investigating the crash and said the woman's name would be released once next of kin had been notified.

Edgecumbe Volunteer Fire Brigade were at the scene of the crash within six minutes, Fire Communications shift manager Paul Radden said.

He said the crash happened about 1km from the township.

"Two fire appliances went out, including the specialist rescue tender which holds all the cutting equipment. Upon arrival they found two people trapped. They used their cutting gear and removed one person. They started on the second person [who] died after [being] removed."

Otakiri Rd was closed to traffic for three hours.