Five hospitalised after Tararua crashes

Five people are in hospital following two separate crashes on the Eastern Tararua Ranges.

Two motorcyclists are in Palmerston North Hospital with moderate injuries after they crashed in Pongaroa at about 4pm today.

One motorcyclist appeared to run into trouble on a corner and was rear-ended by the bike following it, bringing the motorcycle group travelling from Wellington to a halt, sergeant Jymahl Glassey, of Pahiatua police, said.

The crash is the second of two on the eastern side of the Tararua Ranges in the past 24 hours.

Three people were also taken to hospital last night after a serious two-car collision at the summit of the Pahiatua Track.

Emergency services were called to a crash at about 10.30pm on the corner of Aokautere Rd and Range Rd near the top of the Pahiatua Track.

They found two people moderately injured and a third in a "serious" condition, Palmerston North fire station officer Ian King said.

The trio were taken to Palmerston North hospital for treatment. No one was trapped in either of the two vehicles involved and a fourth person was uninjured, Mr King said.

- © Fairfax NZ News