The two people injured in a head-on collision early Wednesday on State Highway 2 near Te Puke remain in a serious condition at Tauranga Hospital.

There was one person in each of the two vehicles; a 19 year old man in one and 40 year old Te Puke police Senior Sergeant Deirdre Lack was in the other.

The crash scene near Manoeka Road early Wednesday morning.

Deirdre was off-duty at the time of the collision, which occurred at about 5am just north of Manoeka Road.

Western Bay of Plenty Police Area Commander Inspector Mike Clement says the police are working to support the families of both crash victims.

'This was a serious crash and its effects will be felt by communities across the Bay of Plenty, but particularly by those in the Te Puke community and within our police family,” says Mike.

'Our thoughts and support are with both families at this time.”

Mike is also thanking the community for the kind messages and offers of support that he says have flooded into police stations across the area.

He says messages have also been received from Police National Headquarters in Wellington.

Deirdre Lack.

'Deirdre is a popular and well-regarded member of the local Te Puke community – as well as within police.

'Those messages are providing some comfort to her family and will be passed on to her in due course.”

The investigation into the crash is being managed by a senior police officer from outside the Western Bay of Plenty area.

Read more about the incident here.