Three dead, others injured after truck slams into three parked vehicles near Whakatāne

Three people have died after a truck slammed into three other trucks parked on the side of the road near Whakatāne.

Emergency services received reports of the crash on State Highway 2 around 1.50pm near Hauone and Pikowai Roads.

Police said three people died at the scene and four separate vehicles were involved in the crash.

St John Ambulance said five other people were assessed at the scene of the crash and one of them was taken to Tauranga hospital in a serious condition.  The other four had minor injuries.  

Police say the Serious Crash Unit is in attendance and the road is likely to be closed for a number of hours.

Diversions are currently being put in place.

One Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to the scene and a spokesperson said multiple patients and rescue helicopters were involved.

Police are asking that anyone who witnessed the crash please contact Whakatāne police on (07) 308 5255.

In particular police would like to speak to a paraglider who was above the scene of the crash when it occurred.