Two people needed airlifting to hospital in a serious condition after their car went off the road and into a drain in Northland.

The crash happened between Dargaville and Te Kopuru, with the fire service being called to the scene just after 3.45pm.

No-one was trapped in the crash but a helicopter was needed to transport the two seriously injured people to hospital in Whangarei.

Ambulance and police also attended the crash.