State highway Two was closed twice with the space of five hours today due to two serious head on crashes.

At about 10.55am Emergency Services attended a two car head on crash approximately one kilometre east of Coalfields Road. The five occupants were all taken to hospital and are in critical condition. A two year old child and 59 year old woman were both airlifted to Auckland's Starship hospital and Auckland hospital respectively. The others were taken by ambulance to Middlemore Hospital.

At about 3.55pm, a second head on crash involving three vehicles occurred about 300m east of Coalfields Road. An eastbound 4x4 appears to have lost control on a moderate left hand bend, crossing the centre line and colliding with a west bound 4x4. Both drivers were taken to hospital in a serious condition. Occupants of a third 4x4 involved in the crash walked away shocked but unscathed. The Westpac Air Ambulance again attended the scene.

Diversions were in place during both incidents as the emergency services attended and examined the scenes.

The Waikato Serious Crash Unit is investigating to determine the cause of the crashes.

Heavy rain affected driving conditions today throughout the Waikato however Police are urging drivers to take extra care and to drive to the conditions.

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