Defence Force LAV in Wairoa crash with a people mover

ROBERT KITCHIN/STUFF

The crash near Wairoa on Saturday, between a NZDF LAV and a people mover, saw two flown to hospital with serious injuries. (File photo)

The Serious Crash Unit is investigating a crash between a New Zealand Defence Force LAV and a people mover. 

The crash near Wairoa, north of Napier, on Saturday saw two people flown to hospital with serious injuries. 

A police media spokeswoman said those hurt in the crash were in the people mover.

An NZDF spokeswoman said they were not able to comment because the police were the lead agency in the investigation. 

On Sunday the two injured people were no longer considered to be seriously injured. 

The crash occurred on the Tahaenui Bridge on State Highway 2, at 7pm on Saturday. 

The bridge was closed for several hours. On Sunday, it was operating at just one lane with traffic control in place. 

The bridge would be at one lane until it was repaired. 

A motorist who was driving to Mahia yesterday said the LAV had landed to the side of the bridge.

He said it was nose down towards the river, and had landed in a nearly vertical position. 

The LAV was part of a large convoy, including four other LAVs and one army truck, he said. 

When they left Mahia on Sunday morning, the LAV was still there, he said. 

Other vehicles in the army convoy appeared to have remained with the crashed LAV overnight, he said. 

In August 2017, another serious crash occurred on the same bridge, when a vehicle plunged into the Tahaenui river below.