By 1News Reporters
12:28pm

Thirteen people were injured, two seriously, following a crash involving a
car and a van in southern Taranaki this morning.

Police said the two-vehicle crash occurred on Hastings Rd in Matapu at around 9.55am.

Fire and Emergency NZ also responded with crews from Eltham, Kaponga, and Okaiawa attending the scene.

Hastings Rd was likely to be closed between Skeet and Eltham roads for some time while the serious crash unit conducted a scene examination, they added.

St John said four ambulances, four helicopters, two operations managers and
one rapid response unit responded to the crash.

Thirteen patients were taken to hospital, a St John spokesperson said.

"Two patients, both in serious conditions, were airlifted to Waikato
Hospital; two patients, both in moderate conditions, were airlifted to Whanganui Base Hospital; nine patients, all in moderate to minor conditions, were transported by ambulance to both Hawera Hospital and Taranaki Base Hospital."

The Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter, the Greenlea Rescue Helicopter, the Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter and the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter all attended.

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