(File photo) Photo: Google Maps
A man has been summoned to court after a crash in Taupō today left multiple people seriously injured.
Two vehicles crashed on the Napier-Taupō Road, State Highway 5 near Rangitaiki School Road, Taupō District, about 10.30am.
"Our crews have assessed and treated 12 patients, with their conditions ranging from minor to serious," Hato Hone St John said.
Nine patients were airlifted to Waikato hospital; four in a serious condition, three in a moderate condition, and two in a minor condition."
Police said Sunday afternoon that their initial inquiries suggest that the van driver allegedly attempted to overtake a vehicle, and struck the second vehicle head on.
The 57-year-old driver has been summonsed to appear in the Tauranga District Court next week on a charge of careless driving causing injury.
Originally 13 people were reported injured but Hato Hone St John has said only 12 were injured.
Four ambulances, one rapid response unit, and four helicopters were sent to the scene.
The vehicles involved were a van and an SUV, police said.
"At this time, two patients in serious condition have been airlifted to Waikato hospital, and one patient in a serious condition has been airlifted to Hawke's Bay hospital."
The road has since reopened, police said.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
