Three vehicles including tanker in crash
The serious crash unit is investigating how three vehicles, including a petrol tanker, crashed at Ohakuri, between Rotorua and Taupo¯ yesterday morning.
The road was closed for an hour between Thorpe Rd and Chestnut Rd, and traffic was sent on a 20-minute detour via Mokai, after the petrol tanker rolled, trapping and seriously injuring the driver.
The driver was flown to Waikato Hospital in a serious condition after Fire and Emergency crews freed him from the crashed truck.
St John confirmed it sent two ambulances to the scene following the emergency call at 7.40am.
A police spokeswoman said the tanker was leaking at the crash scene.
The New Zealand Transport Agency said traffic was managed with a stop-go sign after the road reopened.
The Serious Crash Unit examined the scene yesterday, and contractors were brought in to clear the vehicles and debris.