Investigation shows children had not been wearing their seat belts in yesterdays crash in the Bay of Plenty

Four children critical after car versus truck
The Police Serious Crash Unit is investigating a crash in Kawerau, which has left four children critically injured.

The three children in the backseat have not been wearing seatbelts, when the car they were riding in collided with a truck and trailer unit, at the intersection of Tamarangi Drive and Islington street.

Two children have been air lifted to Waikato Hospital, and another's been transferred from Rotorua to Starship - all with serious head injuries.

The fourth child is in a serious but stable condition in Whakatane Hospital.

The female driver sustained moderate injuries and has been taken to Whakatane Hospital, while the driver of truck is uninjured.

Emergency services from Whakatane, Kawerau, Rotorua, Tauranga and Taupo responded to the accident, which closed State Highway 34 for several hours.