Three people are dead after a road accident in Patea this afternoon.

A car and a milk tanker have crashed on Patea’s main street Egmont Street, at the corner with Gloucester Street.

Two other people have been taken to Hawera Hospital by St John Ambulance with moderate and minor injures.

The accident happened around quarter past four.

The section of State Highway 3 has been closed and diversions are in place.

The Fonterra tanker driver was uninjured in the crash.

A St John spokesperson said the driver but was taken to Hawera Hospital for assessment, because of the trauma of the crash.