The driver of a vehicle involved in a crash near Te Kaha is in Middlemore Hospital with a suspected spinal injury.

The 27-year-old man was injured in a crash in Whanarua Bay just before 12pm on Thursday.

The Tauranga-based Trustpower TECT Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to the scene to transport the injured man to hospital.

'He was stabilised at the scene by paramedics, before being flown to Middlemore Spinal Unit for assessment and treatment,” says a spokesperson for the rescue helicopter.

'The driver and passengers of the other vehicle sustained moderate injuries and were taken to Te Kaha Medical Centre via road ambulance.”