Five people were airlifted to Dunedin Hospital after a two-car crash in Cardrona Valley Rd yesterday afternoon.
The 4.40pm crash occurred about 7km from Wanaka, between Mt Barker Rd and Cardrona.
A grey Nissan Cefiro travelling north had crossed the centre-line and collided with a south-bound grey Hyundai, Senior Sergeant Allan Grindell, of Wanaka, said last night.
However, ''it's too early to determine a cause until the investigators have a look at it''.
All five occupants - two in the Nissan and three in the Hyundai - received serious injuries.
A rescue helicopter was sent to the scene and two others to the Wanaka Medical Centre to airlift the five crash victims to Dunedin. Their conditions were not known late last night, he said.
The road remained closed for about three hours while emergency services worked to free trapped patients and examine the scene. The road reopened at 7.45pm.
''We would be very interested in hearing from any witnesses to the crash,'' Snr Sgt Grindell said.
A bystander who arrived at the scene shortly after the crash described it as ''horrific''. Both vehicles were extensively damaged.
