Person rescued from vehicle with jaws of life after crash on State Highway 4, north of Taumarunui

A person has been rescued from a vehicle following a crash on SH4 at Ongarue. Photo / NZME

Emergency services are responding to a crash involving a car hitting a tree on State Highway 4 at Ongarue, north of Taumarunui.

A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesman said one fire crew from Taumarunui attended the scene about 6.25am today.

The jaws of life were used to remove one person from the vehicle.

“There was a person trapped in the vehicle who we extracted and they were flown out by helicopter.”

A police spokeswoman said the vehicle struck a tree.

“Traffic management has been in place.”

Hato Hone St John sent an ambulance and a helicopter, a spokesperson said.

“One patient in a serious condition is currently being airlifted to Waikato Hospital.”

Eva de Jong is a reporter for the Whanganui Chronicle covering health stories and general news. She began as a reporter in 2023.