Two women were injured, one seriously, in a two-car crash on State Highway 1 at Waihola this afternoon.

Police were called at 2.50pm  to the crash scene, about 200m north of the township.

A police officer at the scene said the victims were both women, one 57 years old and the other 25.

A St John spokesman said the 57-year-old had sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to Dunedin Hospital. The other woman sustained moderate injuries and was taken to Dunedin Hospital by ambulance.

Police and a rescue helicopter at the scene this afternoon. Photo: Peter McIntosh

It is thought the women were in separate cars and both were trapped for a time after the crash.

The road was blocked and diversions in place for several hours, but around 8.30pm the NZ Transport Agency advised it had reopened.

A St John spokeswoman earlier said three ambulances and a helicopter attended.