Three dead in major crash on State Highway 1 south of Whangarei

Wednesday, 1 November 2017

Three people are dead after a major crash on a notoriously dangerous stretch of road in Northland.

Two women and a man died at the scene.

Another man is in a serious condition and another woman has moderate injuries.  They were taken to Whangarei Hospital.

One woman was uninjured.

The crash involved a light truck and three cars at a known accident black spot on State Highway 1 south of Whangarei

The crash blocked SH1 in both directions at Oakleigh between Mangapai and Maungakaramea Roads.

The road was closed for several hours, before being reopened at about 4.30pm, and police advised motorists to 'avoid the area completely if possible'.

'Diversions are in place and the best route is via Tauraroa Road,' police added.

Police have said they are still trying to identify the victims and vehicles, and that 'thoughts are with those involved and their families'.

Four fire crews were called out to the scene of the crash at 11.15am on Wednesday, Fire and Emergency New Zealand communications shift manager Paul Radden said.

A woman who lives at Oakleigh Rise said she was in her garden and thought she heard a bang, though she couldn't be sure it was the crash.

The woman, who declined to be named, said here was currently no traffic flow other than cars doing U-turns and heading back towards Whangarei.

'I've never seen so many emergency vehicles come past - they just kept coming,' she said.

The woman saw at least three police cars race past, two ambulances and two fire trucks.

She added that the area was notorious for crashes and she recalled three separate fatal incidents in the past couple of years.

NZTA said that although the road had reopened, a 50kmh speed limit would be in place overnight.