Car hits cyclists, helicopter responding

BREAKING NEWS: Three cyclists are in critical condition fighting for life, two others with moderate injuries waiting for the Westpac Helicopter to land, after a vehicle struck the group of bikers at around 4.25pm today, police say.

Police say the incident happened at about 4.25pm this afternoon in the vicinity of Lake Road and Dawson Road in Taupiri.

Emergency services at the scene were preparing a landing area for the Westpac Rescue helicopter, police said in a statement at 5pm.