Thu, Nov 10, 2022 5:10 AM
Nine injured in SH3 crash
FOUR ambulances and two rescue helicopters were required at the scene of a crash in Hangatiki on Tuesday morning. PHOTO SUPPLIED
Staff Reporter
NINE people were transported to Waikato Hospital on Tuesday after an early morning crash on SH3 in Hangatiki.
Two were airlifted in moderate to serious condition and the remaining seven were taken to hospital via ambulance in moderate condition.
One of the men airlifted to hospital was in his 40s and had sustained chest injuries, according to Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
Greenlea Rescue Helicopter was also called to transport a man in his 50s with fracture injuries to Waikato Hospital.
The southbound Toyota Hiace was believed to be from Auckland travelling to Whanganui when it crashed near Lees Block Rd.
Police said the vehicle crossed the centreline at about 5.50am and ran into a ditch on the opposite side of the road.
A King Country News facebook commenter said a police officer was searching the gardens at the Big Apple for a firearm related to the crash.
Local police did not want to comment on the potential involvement of a firearm, because CIB was investigating.
It is understood the people involved in the crash were patched gang members.
The road was closed for several hours with a detour in place along Hangatiki East Rd, accessed by Mangarino Rd in the north and Te Kumi Station Rd in the south.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency advised at 11.55am the road was fully reopened.
A growing line of milk tankers could be seen at about 8am waiting at the southern roadblock for the road to clear, while other large vehicles waited up the hill at the Big Apple car park.
Two were airlifted in moderate to serious condition and the remaining seven were taken to hospital via ambulance in moderate condition.
One of the men airlifted to hospital was in his 40s and had sustained chest injuries, according to Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
Greenlea Rescue Helicopter was also called to transport a man in his 50s with fracture injuries to Waikato Hospital.
The southbound Toyota Hiace was believed to be from Auckland travelling to Whanganui when it crashed near Lees Block Rd.
Police said the vehicle crossed the centreline at about 5.50am and ran into a ditch on the opposite side of the road.
A King Country News facebook commenter said a police officer was searching the gardens at the Big Apple for a firearm related to the crash.
Local police did not want to comment on the potential involvement of a firearm, because CIB was investigating.
It is understood the people involved in the crash were patched gang members.
The road was closed for several hours with a detour in place along Hangatiki East Rd, accessed by Mangarino Rd in the north and Te Kumi Station Rd in the south.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency advised at 11.55am the road was fully reopened.
A growing line of milk tankers could be seen at about 8am waiting at the southern roadblock for the road to clear, while other large vehicles waited up the hill at the Big Apple car park.
