Serious car-truck collision
Four injured in crash at Oturoa RdSH5 intersection
Fand our people have been injured, three seriously, after a car and truck collided near Rotorua yesterday afternoon. Police, ambulance, fire crews and two rescue helicopters attended the crash, which closed the road for some time.
A police spokeswoman said the crash happened about 2pm at the intersection of State Highway 5 and Oturoa Rd.
The four injured people were in the car. Two had serious to critical injuries, one was seriously injured and the fourth person had moderate injuries.
Fire Communications shift manager Craig Dally confirmed firefighters attended the crash and of the four patients, three were initially trapped.
A Rotorua Daily Post reporter at the scene said traffic heading to the scene of the crash yesterday afternoon was backed up for about a kilometre.
She said it appeared the crash victims were cut out of the vehicle and prepared for transport in the helicopters.
Motorists were asked to avoid the area and diversions were put in place at Dansey Rd and Maraeroa Rd.
A St John spokeswoman said three ambulances, one Jeep and two helicopters were sent to the crash.
The helicopters were dispatched from Taupo¯ and Tauranga.
A witness at the scene, who was visibly shaken, said she understood the crash happened while the car was attempting to make a u-turn.
The witness said the car was “squished against the side of the truck”.
People commenting on the Rotorua Daily Post said the intersection of Oturoa Rd and State Highway 5 was notoriously bad.
“Another at Oturoa Rd?! Transport Agency should really do something about that intersection!” One person wrote.
“This intersection is so dangerous! Hope everyone is okay,” another commented.
One person said both ends of Oturoa Rd were dangerous.
“There are no lanes for vehicles turning into Oturoa (a busy road) and nothing is done about it. Central and Maraeroa Rds also have access issues.”
State Highway 5 was closed at the intersection with State Highway 36 after the crash.