Eleven injured after two vans collide near Taumarunui

Two vans travelling in opposite directions crashed head-on near Taumarunui on Friday afternoon.

The crash happened on State Highway 43, approximately 32 kilometres from Taumarunui.

A rental van travelling west-bound had eight tourists onboard and the east-bound van had 10 local workers.

Officer in charge of Taumarunui Police Station, Senior Sergeant Grant Alabaster says: "Police were notified just after 3pm today of the crash. Our initial observation at the scene identified 18 people involved in the crash."

"All up at this stage 11 people are injured, ranging from critical to serious, while others have moderate injuries."

Police, ambulance and the fire service attended the scene along with four rescue helicopters that airlifted the critical and serious victims to hospital.

"Preliminary findings show that one van has been on the wrong side of the road around a corner and crashed head-on with the other van. We believe that alcohol is not a factor in the crash," says Senior Sergeant Alabaster.

A Police investigation into the crash is continuing.

ENDS

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