12 Aug 2013

Driver missing, five injured after crash

9:53 pm on 12 August 2013

A person is missing and five people are in hospital after a vehicle plunged into a harbour following a crash off a bridge in Tauranga.

Three vehicles were involved in the incident on the Maungatapu Causeway Bridge just after 6pm on Monday.

Police say a passenger in his 20s managed to get out of the submerged vehicle with the help of an officer who jumped into the water.

The pair drifted for some distance before getting to shore and both are in Tauranga Hospital with hypothermia.

A man and woman in their 30s and a man in his 40s in the two other vehicles suffered moderate injuries.

Police divers have been called in to help recover the driver of the submerged vehicle.

The bridge will remain closed overnight and for at least part of Tuesday.