Canadian hockey players injured in Napier-Taupō crash

A serious crash involving Canadian youth hockey players occurred on Napier-Taupō Road on Sunday. The players were traveling from Napier to Tauranga for a game. Twelve people sustained injuries in the accident, which occurred when a van collided with an SUV. A 57-year-old driver has been charged with careless driving causing injury. The crash happened near Rangitāiki School at around 10:30 AM. Emergency services closed the highway for a period, but it reopened at 1:20 PM. The teams were hosted by Hawke’s Bay Hockey prior to the crash. Due to the incident, the scheduled games in Tauranga have been canceled. Those involved in the accident are said to be in a “state of shock.”