Significant delays after series of crashes, one fatal, close stretches of SH1 and SH5

December 31, 2018

The accident brings this year’s holiday road toll to five.

One person has died and motorists throughout New Zealand are experiencing significant delays this afternoon after four separate crashes have blocked or closed roads. 

A St John spokesperson has confirmed one person has died following a two-car crash on State Highway 1 near Waihola, between Dunedin and Invercargill - bringing the holiday road toll to five.

A second person is in a moderate condition and has been taken to Dunedin Hospital. Diversions are in place near Titiri Road.

Motorists on State Highway 1 in the Waikato have also been warned this afternoon to expect significant delays after a crash that has shut down a portion of the road.

Two people have been taken to Waikato Hospital in serious condition. Their vehicle rolled on a stretch of SH1 between Cambridge and Tirau at around 11.30am, a St John ambulance spokesperson said.

Five people were assessed at the scene of the crash, which happened near Kentucky Road, but only two were transported to hospital, the spokesperson said.

Two people were trapped in the vehicle and had to be extricated, a Fire and Emergency spokesperson said.

That stretch of State Highway 1 is closed between Cambridge and Tirau until further notice and drivers are being asked to follow the direction of emergency services personnel. Motorists have been asked to avoid the area if possible.

A third crash has closed State Highway 5 between Napier and Taupō, police said.

And in Auckland, NZTA warned this afternoon that a crash has blocked SH20B, also known as Puhinui Road, in both directions - causing potential traffic headaches for people headed to Auckland Airport. The road, however, has since been reopened. 

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