Five people were injured in a three-vehicle, high-speed crash in a narrow section of the Kawarau Gorge near Roaring Meg this morning (January 1).

A St John Ambulance spokesperson said two ambulance crews responded to the scene just before 10.30am, assessing five patients, one with moderate injuries and the other four with minor injuries.

The patient in a moderate condition was transported by ambulance to Lakes District Hospital.

Fire and Emergency NZ Southern Communications Centre relieving shift manager Ian Littlejohn said St John called in their assistance to the “high velocity crash” with two Cromwell fire appliances and a support vehicle attending.

“It was a three-car crash involving five patients, described as ‘walking wounded’," Ian said.

"No one was trapped and we managed traffic and scene control with one lane blocked."

The highway was down to one lane after the crash.

The road remained partially blocked for several hours while emergency services worked at the scene, reopening fully just before 12.30pm.

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