At least four people were injured after two cars collided head-on in the Bay of Plenty last night.
Emergency services from Edgecumbe, Kawerau and Whakatane were called to the scene at Awakeri, between Whakatane and Kawerau, shortly before 7pm.
Fire crews used cutting equipment to free at least one of the injured, who was taken by stretcher to a waiting ambulance about 30 minutes after the crash.
Working in the rain and under lights, fire volunteers could be seen removing pieces of the car as the rescue continued, throwing them clear of the site.
Whakatane Senior Sergeant Bruce Jenkins said it had taken time extracting the injured due to suspected neck injuries.
"I believe both drivers were taken to hospital," Mr Jenkins said.
Early investigations suggested a car going toward Whakatane from Te Teko had failed to take a sharp bend before the intersection of State Highways 2 and 30.
The other car carried a husband and wife and their child.
"None of the people involved sustained life-threatening injuries and while we did consult with the serious crash team, we did not have to call them out."
- Katee Shanks
