The team had yesterday flown to Waikato Hospital to handover a patient who had suffered a medical event just north of Morere, in the Wharerata Ranges.

Not long after leaving the hospital just before 2pm they were dispatched to the accident involving a car, an SUV and a tour bus.

While on-scene they were joined by four other rescue helicopters – two from Auckland, one from Taupo and one from Waikato – bolstering the emergency response of seven Hato Hone St John ambulances and three rapid response units, NZ Police, and Fire and Emergency NZ.

The Eastland Rescue Helicopter team flew their patient in critical condition to Waikato Hospital while another two patients were flown to Waikato and two more to Auckland Hospital.

Between them the land and air ambulances transported 13 patients for treatment, two of them critical and four serious.

The Serious Crash Unit is investigating the accident, which saw the road closed until 9.30pm that night.

CAPTION: ON-SCENE: The Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter was among five air ambulances dispatched to a multi-vehicle accident near Tirau yesterday.