Three people have been taken to hospital after a serious crash in Tauranga involving a vehicle that had earlier been briefly pursued by police in Rotorua.

A police statement said police started a pursuit on Paradise Valley Rd at 2.03pm on Thursday but abandoned it within a minute.

Police kept the vehicle in sight using staff in the area and traffic cameras as it headed towards Tauranga.

The vehicle crashed on Pyes Pa Rd at 2.38pm near the Keenan Rd intersection.

The Serious Crash Unit attended and will be investigating the crash.

Pyes Pā Rd between Merrick Rd and the Pyes Pā Bypass was closed, with detours in place.

A Hato Hone St John spokesperson said two patients, both in serious condition, and another patient in moderate condition were taken to Tauranga Hospital.

One rapid response unit and three ambulances attended.

A reporter at the scene shortly after the crash said traffic was at a standstill on Pyes Pā Rd and Keenan Rd. Schoolchildren and families could be seen walking down the side of the road on Takitimu Dr.

There are schools in the area including Aquinas College and ACG Tauranga.

A Fire and Emergency Northern Communications Centre spokesman said two fire trucks attended the crash.

A NZ Transport Agency social media post at 3.10pm said the road was closed between the Pyes Pa roundabout and Joyce Rd.

The crash comes just over a week after a driver died in a vehicle that crashed while fleeing police in Rotorua.

-Bay of Plenty Times.