Country roads 'dangerous' +video

Three were hospitalised with minor injuries following a collision between a car and a tractor on Kaiwhaiki Rd this morning. PHOTO/ BEVAN CONLEY

People are being warned to keep off flood-affected roads unless necessary. Three people were hospitalised after a crash on a greasy rural Wanganui road yesterday morning.

A car slid along Kaiwhaiki Rd north of Wanganui before colliding with a tractor about 8.45am.

The car's door had to be ripped off by emergency services and the three occupants were taken to hospital with moderate injuries, Senior Fire Officer Bryce Coneybeer said.

Kaiwhaiki Rd remains covered in silt following last month's flooding and is narrower than normal due to mud build-up on the roadside. It was a factor in the accident, Mr Coneybeer said.

"On greasy roads like this, you can't stop like you normally can.

"You can't even turn."

Highlighting the danger, a second fire truck also slid and became stuck in mud along the side of the road on its way to the scene and had to be hauled out.

"Fortunately, it was the rescue truck that got through (first)," Mr Coneybeer said.

"With the rain we're expecting it's going to get worse," he said.

Fire Service Area Commander Bernie Rush was concerned motorists were putting his staff, emergency services and roading crews in danger.

"It appears the car was travelling too fast for the conditions, which are extremely slippery and dangerous," Mr Rush said.

"People must be aware that many of our rural roads are extremely marginal and they are suitable only for emergency services and absolutely essential travel by locals with a 4WD.

"This accident highlights the danger of travelling in unsuitable vehicles on roads that are barely passable."

Mr Rush urged people to keep off the rural roads and not go sightseeing. The accident blocked Kaiwhaiki Rd about 3km up from State Highway 4 as emergency services attended the scene. Yesterday afternoon all three occupants of the vehicle were in a stable condition in Whanganui Hospital.