Three dead, multiple people injured in crashes across New Zealand

Updated: Reports have come in of another fatal crash on Te Ahu Ahu Road in Northland.

Emergency services are at the scene of a serious single-vehicle collision on Te Ahu Ahu Road.

Police were notified at 8.08pm.

Motorists are asked to avoid the road.

Once deceased was found in the vehicle.

More information will be provided when available.

Two people have died in separate crashes which occurred in half an hour across the upper North Island and others are injured.

The first fatal crash occurred at 1pm on State Highway 25 and closed the road between Whangamatā and Hikuai.

A police spokesperson told the Herald the crash was between a motorcyclist and a car, and the road will likely remain closed for at least another hour.

It was one of three crashes in an hour which caused serious injuries and traffic delays days before Christmas.

The second crash, which was also fatal, occurred just half an hour later in the Bay of Plenty, on Whakamaru Road.

Waka Kotahi said delays were likely and a road closure was possible.

Further south, another crash occurred on State Highway 6 near Wānaka. A reporter at the scene described the intersection at which the crash occurred, near Morris Road as “notorious”.

The road is currently blocked, and Waka Kotahi is warning motorists to expect delays and try to avoid the area where possible.

A police spokesperson confirmed a helicopter had been sent out to the crash and a spokesperson for St John said one person has been airlifted to Dunedin Hospital in serious condition.

The spokesperson said they were called to the crash at 1.48pm.

Two others are in moderate condition and have been taken to Dunedin Hospital and Lakes District Hospital respectively.

Three other people were in minor condition and were treated at the scene.