As police in Central District deal with another serious crash, drivers are being urged to take extra care on the roads.
State Highway 3 near Sanson currently has a road closure in place following a serious crash between a milk tanker and a car.
The crash happened at approximately 8.40am approximately three kilometres south of Sanson. A BMW car travelling towards Sanson appears to have crossed the centreline and collided with the milk tanker travelling towards Palmerston North.
The male driver of the BMW, who is believed to be in his 40s and from Palmerston North, has been taken by ambulance to Palmerston North Hospital with serious, possibly critical injuries. A dog from the BMW is being treated by a vet surgery in Bulls.
The driver of the milk tanker was shaken but unhurt. His tanker came to rest in a drainage ditch. The milk is being transferred to another tanker and cranes will be required to recover the vehicle. The road is expected to be closed for at least another two hours.
This crash follows two fatal crashes in Central District since the start of the holiday period on Friday, 23 December. A 78-year-old woman was killed in a crash in Waitara on Christmas Eve and yesterday a 70-year-old woman was killed on the Desert Road near Waiouru.
A three-year-old boy remains in a stable condition in Palmerston North Hospital after being hit by a car in Manakau, near Levin.
Senior Sergeant Kris Burbery said: "We've had a number of serious and fatal crashes in the District since the holiday period began and in the majority of cases there were avoidable. It is disappointing and a stark reminder why drivers need to take care on the roads."
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kim Perks on 027 234 8256.