Serious crash; 'over twenty people involved'

DEVELOPING NEWS: A crash south of Ohura this afternoon has caused over ten people to be airlifted to hospital's all over the North Island following a head on collision involving a van.

Four rescue helicopters are in the process of airlifting passengers on board two vans to hospitals all over the North Island this afternoon.

The crash involved over twenty people, over two fire engines and more then four ambulances are at the scene of a 'terrible' crash.

Police central communications inspector Ken Climo said the vans had collided head-on near the Tokirima junction on River Rd and police were notified around 3:07pm.

Police told infonews.co.nz, River Road will not be closed, but drivers should expect delays.

Mr Climo said at this stage it appears two people are seriously injured and six are suffering mild injuries while other people's conditions are unknown.

Police say there were 21 people in the two vans. Although it is understood no one was trapped or had to be cut out of the vans.

The Taranaki Community Rescue Helicopter Facebook page just posted to Taranaki residents "Our rescue Helicopter is currently transporting two patients from a serious motor vehicle accident near Tauramanui to Waikato hospital. 4 helicopters are in attendance and multiple ambulances on scene." at around 5.15pm.

The Greenlea Rescue Helicopter from Taupo is also taking four people with moderate and minor injuries to Waikato Hospital

FOUR HELICOPTERS

Four helicopters are taking eleven crash victims to hospital after two vans collided on State Highway 43 south of Ohura this afternoon.

LIVE UPDATES: LIVE UPDATES ENDED#

5.42pm: LIVE UPDATES END

5.23PM: DEVELOPING NEWS UPDATE

Four helicopters are taking eleven crash victims to hospital after two vans collided on State Highway 43 south of Ohura this afternoon.

Police central communications inspector Ken Climo said the vans had collided head-on near the Tokirima junction on River Rd and police were notified around 3:07pm.

St John Ambulance district operations manager Ian May said 21 people were involved in the crash.

5.13pm: Police have told infonews.co.nz that River Road will not be closed but drivers will expect some delays.

5.08pm: Police say there were around 20 people in the two vans. It is understood no one was trapped or had to be cut out of the vans.

4.53pm: The Taranaki Community Rescue Helicopter and two St John's ambulances have been sent to the scene from Taranaki.

4.49pm: Four rescue helicopters are on their way to the scene while two fire engines are already in attendance.

4.47pm: News reaches infonews.co.nz of a 'big' crash west of Taumarunui