A mother pleaded with rescuers to save her children before herself following a horrific Auckland road crash that claimed the life of one person and left six others injured.

The crash, involving a car and truck, occurred at the intersection of Ingram St and Porchester Rd in Papakura about 10.40pm on Wednesday, a police spokesperson said.

A witness told the Herald this morning he saw the crash happen outside his house.

He said a mother was injured and a baby was stuck in the back. We helped pull them out of the car. The lady who was stuck told us to leave her and grab the kids.”

He said one child seemed to be only months old, another looked about 3 or 4. Their faces were swollen and one of the people pulled from the car was not moving.

A police spokesperson said; “Sadly one person has died as a result and six others sustained injuries.

“Four of those were assessed as having serious to moderate injuries, with two others sustaining minor injuries.

“Those injured were transported to both Middlemore and Auckland City Hospitals.”

Overnight, the Serious Crash Unit completed an examination of the scene and the road was reopened, the spokesperson said.

Eight people are in hospital after a truck and a car crash in Papakura last night. Photo / Hayden Woodward

Last night, police had advised motorists to avoid the area while their work was completed at the scene of a serious crash.

“An investigation will commence into the circumstances of the crash.”

A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said two crews had attended the incident where one person was trapped in a vehicle.

“Rescue teams are extricating with equipment.”

Emergency services rush to the scene of a serious crash in Papakura where three people were critically injured and five were serious. Photo / Hayden Woodward

St John Ambulance shift supervisor Wendy Keightley said they had three patients in critical condition and five in serious-moderate condition.

“We’ve transported a total of eight patients to the hospital.

“Due to the number of patients, eight, we’ve transported them to both Auckland and Middlemore Hospitals.

“We’ve had to call in a significant amount of resources to this incident.”