Police and ambulance staff been assaulted in Hastings while attending the scene of a crash police say the occupants are lucky to have survived.
Emergency services were called to the crash on Ormond Rd, near the Ngaruroro River, at about 3:30pm on Tuesday.
From what is known so far, the car was being driven at high speed by the driver who then lost control, rolling multiple times, said acting Snr Sgt Darren Pritchard, of Hawke's Bay.
"The five occupants of the car were very lucky to have only suffered moderate to serious injuries," he said in a statement.
"At least one of the passengers was ejected from the car in the crash."
Initial investigations had established speed, alcohol and no seatbelts - "almost every factor known to contribute to fatal crashes" - were factors in the collision, acting Snr Sgt Pritchard said.
"I'm also incredibly disappointed that those involved in the crash assaulted police and ambulance staff who responded to the crash and were trying to help them.
"There is absolutely no excuse for such behaviour."
All the car's occupants, aged between 14 and 27, were taken to hospital.
