Car crashes in to tree on a state highway

A car has crashed along State Highway 30 earlier this morning after hitting a tree blocking the road.

The crash happened near Kawerau about 7.30am today, at the beginning of the Rotomas.

Whakatane police Sergeant Al Fenwick said, to his knowledge, the tree had fallen on the road and an "unlucky'' driver had driven into the tree, damaging the car.

He said the driver of the vehicle was not injured and fire and ambulance did not attend.

Mr Fenwick said no other cars were involved in the crash and police had cleared the scene, with a tow truck on its way to remove the vehicle at 8.25am.

Rotoma Fire Service chief fire officer John Sandison said he passed the crash on his way home from work.

He said the small car had a damaged bon net and a cracked window screen.

Mr Sandison said the tree was a relatively small tree and had blocked one lane of the busy road, the lane going towards Rotorua.