Police say a woman who crashed down a bank into a stream was lucky to be found so quickly and escape serious injury.

A 32-year-old Tauranga woman has suffered suspected spinal injuries after her car crashed down a bank this morning.

The crash happened north of Tauranga on State Highway 2 close to the intersection with Apata Station Road just before 7am.

A reporter at the scene said the Ford station wagon had slid nose-first eight to 10 metres down a bank.

She said the road was partially closed but reopened about just before 8.30am. Traffic was temporarily diverted down Apata Station Rd.

Senior Constable Bruce Gordon said the driver, who had been on her way to work when the crash happened, had suspected spinal injuries and bruising.

He said she was found after another motorist saw steam from the damaged vehicle rising out of the valley.

She was carried up the bank on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance.

Gordon said tow trucks had been called and the road may need to be closed again while the vehicle was retrieved.

Police say a woman who crashed down a bank into a stream was lucky to be found so quickly and escape serious injury.

A 32-year-old Tauranga woman has suffered suspected spinal injuries after her car crashed down a bank this morning.

The crash happened north of Tauranga on State Highway 2 close to the intersection with Apata Station Road just before 7am.

A reporter at the scene said the Ford station wagon had slid nose-first eight to 10 metres down a bank.

She said the road was partially closed but reopened about just before 8.30am. Traffic was temporarily diverted down Apata Station Rd.

Senior Constable Bruce Gordon said the driver, who had been on her way to work when the crash happened, had suspected spinal injuries and bruising.

He said she was found after another motorist saw steam from the damaged vehicle rising out of the valley.

She was carried up the bank on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance.

Gordon said tow trucks had been called and the road may need to be closed again while the vehicle was retrieved.