News from NZ Police at 2.10pm
Four motorcycles and a car were involved in a crash on State Highway One near Porirua at 12.30pm today.

As a result of the crash, five people have been taken to hospital.

One of the motorcyclists was critically injured and was flown to Wellington Hospital by a rescue helicopter. The remainder of the patients were sent to Wellington and Hutt hospitals by ambulance.

The State Highway North of Tawa has been closed to northbound traffic to allow the patients to be safely treated, and to allow the rescue helicopter to land on the road. The road remains closed while the Police Serious crash team conduct a scene investigation.

The cause of the crash is not yet known.

Earlier release from NZ Police at 12.35pm
Three motorcycles have crashed in the northbound lane of State Highway One, just south of the Porirua off-ramp.

It appears one of the riders has serious injuries, while the other two are moderately injured.

Police, Fire and Ambulance staff are in attendance. Motorists are advised to expect delays.

News release from Westpac Rescue Helicopter
The Wellington based Westpac Rescue Helicopter transported a
seriously ill motorcyclist from the multiple casualty motorcycle accident
this afternoon. The helicopter, with a Wellington Free Ambulance paramedic onboard, was called to the accident at approximately 12.30pm.

We understand that 4-5 motorcyclists were involved in the accident in
the north bound lanes of the motorway approximately 400m south of the Porirua motorway off ramp. The helicopter was able to land on the
motorway where a landing site had been set up by Fire and Police
personnel.

A 47 year old Dannevirke man was transported by helicopter to the
Wellington Hospital Emergency department in a serious condition.

“As we understand it, a second patient who was transported by Wellington Free Ambulance will be admitted to the Wellington Hospital ICU with back and abdominal injuries” says crewman Colin Larsen. “We believe that a third patient was taken to Wellington Hospital with minor injuries and a fourth patient was taken to Hutt Hospital. ”