Several people have been taken to hospital this morning following two separate crashes on State Highway 38 near Kaingaroa.
Emergency services were first called to a single vehicle crash near Wai-Iro-Hia Road just after 7:30am.
St John responded with two ambulances and one rapid response vehicle.
Two patients were transported to Rotorua Hospital by ambulance in a serious condition," a St John spokesperson says.
A report was then received of a second single vehicle crash on the highway near Wairapukao Road at around 8.20am.
St John transported one patient via ambulance to Rotorua Hospital in a moderate condition.
The two crashes occurred within about 1km of each other.
The highway was blocked for a period of time, however NZTA reports both lanes have since re-opened.
Public Interest Journalism funded by New Zealand On Air.