Crash man critically hurt

A man was in Waikato Hospital with critical head injuries on Monday after a collision between a truck and a van early on Saturday morning.

Emergency services were called to the intersection of Alexandra and Wardville roads, seven kilometres north of Matamata, just after 3am.

Matamata police said it appeared the van had turned straight into the path of an oncoming truck.

One man was thrown from the van and a second man was cut out by fire services.

Both were taken to Waikato Hospital with serious to critical injuries.

It was understood the man with critical injuries was from Te Kauwhata.

He was in intensive care on Monday and it was not known if he would survive. The Serious Crash Unit was investigating.

Meanwhile, an 81-year-old man was struck by a car in Matamata last Wednesday as he attempted to cross the road on his electric scooter.

Police were called to Waharoa Rd East, outside Z service station, at 10.45am.

Senior constable Martin Capener said the man had pulled out from the footpath directly into the flow of traffic.

He was hit by a southbound car and was fortunate to receive only minor cuts and grazes.

‘‘ It clearly could have been worse,’’ said Mr Capener.

‘‘Perhaps a reminder to people that use scooters to look before they cross the road.’’