Two people have been seriously injured in an accident early this morning after the car they were travelling in rolled down a bank in the Awatere Valley.
A 23 year old woman with serious spinal and internal injuries and a 20 year old man with severe leg fractures were airlifted to Wellington Hospital by the Westpac and Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopters at around 5.30am.
The other 22 year old female passenger and 20 year old male passenger were taken by ambulance to Wairau Hospital with minor injuries.
All were believed to be from Kaikoura.
The car rolled down a bank several times before coming to rest in a paddock, emergency services said.
The serious crash unit is investigating the accident and initial indications point towards speed and alcohol as being contributing factors, police said.
