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Horror crash: Four dead, eight injured north of Taupo

Author
NZ Herald staff,
Publish Date
Tue, 10 Oct 2017, 4:11PM
​

Horror crash: Four dead, eight injured north of Taupo

Author
NZ Herald staff,
Publish Date
Tue, 10 Oct 2017, 4:11PM

UPDATED 7.11pm: A horrific crash north of Taupo has left four people dead and eight with moderate to serious injuries, including a 10-month-old baby.

Sergeant Fane Troy at the scene confirmed the fatalities.

The head-on smash involved two people-mover type vehicles.

The crash, described by a witness as the most serious he's seen in 20 years, happened at the intersection of State Highway 1 and Tutukau Rd around 3.15pm, and has blocked both lanes on SH1.

This crash will bring the road toll to 13 deaths in four days after a horror weekend for motorists.

This brings the road toll to 296 for 2017, up 44 on the same time last year.



Four rescue helicopters were sent to the scene. (Photo / Philips Search and Rescue Trust)

At least three people are trapped with critical injuries, police said. Four rescue helicopters were dispatched.

A 10-month-old baby with multiple injuries was airlifted to Waikato Hospital. A man in his 40s with multiple injuries and a 42-year-old woman with chest and abdominal injuries were also airlifted to the hospital.

Other patients were transported via road ambulance.

Both vehicles are irreparable with the fronts completely smashed in and windscreens shattered. Luggage is strewn around the scene, including a child's small pink backpack.

The road is wet in patches around the crash scene.

The crash occurred on a stretch of road between two bushy areas.

St John media spokeswoman Victoria Hawkins described the crash as a "major incident that needs investigating".

Local reporter Laurilee McMichael, who is at the scene, said there was a heavy presence of police, fire and ambulance staff.

"I was told it was a two car head-on at the end of a passing lane.

"It's the full nine yards.


The crash scene on State Highway 1 just north of Taupo where two cars have been involved in a collision. (Photo / Laurilee McMichael)

She said a truck driver recounted that the police told him "it was the worst thing they've seen in 20 years".

The truck driver, who did not want to be named, was allowed to drive past the crash scene to continue his journey. He said it looked like "a total mess" and the vehicles were covered up. He said police had told him a baby was airlifted to hospital.

He said the vehicles involved were a people mover and a five-seater van.

Jeff from nearby business Commando Paintball said he was told by an emergency service staff member that two people mover vans had collided.

The crash has blocked both lanes and motorists are asked to avoid the area if possible.

"This crash is serious and emergency services are likely to be at the scene for some time," a police statement said this afternoon.


Map of the diversions in the area. Photo / Police

Detours are in place, and motorists are asked to use SH5 or SH30 to avoid the scene, or use the diversions suggested:

• Diversion for south to north is at Tirohanga Rd and HS1
• Diversion for north to south is at Oruanui Rd and SH1

There will be significant delays, police said, so motorists are asked to delay travel.

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