Emergency services were called to the scene just after 2pm on Wednesday. Photo: Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust
A section of State Highway 1 has re-opened after a fatal collision killed one person and injured 14 others yesterday.
A small bus loaded with international tourists collided with two vehicles on the highway near Paparamu Road.
Emergency services were called to the scene just after 2pm and Hato Hone St John yesterday said it took 13 patients to hospitals by road and air.
Two were in a critical condition and another four in a serious condition.
The highway was closed for several hours for more than 10 kilometres, between Tīrau and Piarere roundabout.
A Northern Rescue spokesperson said both Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopters transported a teenager and a man in his 40's to Auckland City Hospital.
Taupō road policing manager Senior Sergeant Fane Troy told RNZ there were 11 tourists and their driver in the mini-van, and three others in the two other vehicles.
He said one person died and the 14 others involved were injured. Initial indications were that some suffered serious injuries.
It was not clear yet where the tourists were from, but Troy said they were from outside New Zealand.
He said it was too early to establish the cause of the crash or release details regarding the deceased.
More to come...