Northland: One Critical After Ambulance and Vehicle Collide in Waipu
Original Reporting by: Samuel Sherry & Beverley Tse First Published by: NZ Herald / Hato Hone St John Media Date: January 3, 2026
By Lions Roar News National Desk
WAIPU, NORTHLAND (January 3, 2026) — A serious investigation is underway after a Hato Hone St John ambulance collided with another vehicle in Waipu on Friday evening, leaving one person in a critical condition and an ambulance officer injured.
The crash occurred at approximately 7:50 PM on Cove Road, a busy Northland route currently seeing high holiday traffic.
🚑 Details of the Collision
At the time of the accident, the ambulance was performing an emergency transfer, carrying a patient in a moderate condition from Mangawhai Heads to Whangārei Hospital.
The Casualties:
- Critical Condition: One person from the second vehicle involved in the crash sustained life-threatening injuries and was treated at the scene before being rushed to Whangārei Hospital.
- Ambulance Officer Injured: One St John staff member was treated for moderate injuries and also transported to the hospital.
- Patient Safe: The original patient being transported and the second ambulance officer miraculously escaped injury. The patient was moved to a different ambulance to complete their journey to the hospital.
🚨 Emergency Response and Road Closures
The scale of the accident triggered a massive emergency response, involving:
- Two additional ambulances
- A rapid response unit
- A first response unit
- An operational manager
- The Northland Rescue Helicopter
Cove Road was closed for several hours between South Road and McLean Road while the Serious Crash Unit conducted a forensic examination of the scene. Diversions remained in place well into the night, with motorists advised to avoid the area.
🛡️ Commitment to Safety
Hato Hone St John’s Ben Lockie stated that the organization is taking the incident “very seriously” and is fully cooperating with the New Zealand Police investigation.
“Support is being provided to our ambulance staff involved; our thoughts are with everyone affected by this incident,” Lockie added. The damaged ambulance has been removed from service for repairs and a mechanical assessment.
