Five people, including two volunteer firefighters, have been taken to Hawke’s Bay Hospital after a reported wall collapse during construction work in a rural part of the region. 

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesperson said those injured had been erecting a structure on private land next door to the Te Pōhue Fire Station on Ohurakura Rd about 8.30am. 

Two people were seriously injured, and three were in a moderate condition, a Hato Hone St John spokesperson said. Two ambulances and one helicopter responded, with the Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter airlifting one person to Hawke’s Bay Hospital. 

The Te Pohue camp and volunteer fire station are next door to each other on Ohurakura Rd. 

Those injured, including two Te Pōhue volunteer firefighters, were “helping out a member of their community in a private capacity”, the spokesperson said. 

Fire crews from the remote station on State Highway 5 between Napier and Taupō attended - as well crews from Napier, and Bay View. 

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