One dead, three in hospital after SH2 crash

One person has died in a three-car crash on State Highway 2 between Katikati and Te Puna today. PHOTO/GEORGE NOVAK

UPDATED 3.59pm: Three people are in a stable condition at Tauranga Hospital this afternoon after a three-car crash that killed a Tauranga man about midday.

A Tauranga Hospital spokesperson said a 44-year-old Papamoa woman, an 11-year old Papamoa boy and a 72-year-old Tauranga woman were brought in after the crash.

They were all in stable conditions this afternoon, he said.

UPDATED 3.32pm: State Highway 2 has re-opened after a fatal crash about midday near Katikati.

Senior Sergeant Shannon Clifford said police diversions on SH2 had been lifted and the road was now open to all traffic.

The three cars collided about 12pm on a section of State Highway 2 between the two ends of Apata Station Rd.

One person was killed and a number of others were taken to hospital.

Northbound traffic was diverted via Apata Station Rd and southbound traffic was being diverted via Wainui South Rd onto Esdaile Rd.

UPDATED 1.54pm: A number of trucks are backed-up along State Highway 2 after a three-car crash, which killed one person, closed a section of the road.

Traffic is being diverted around the scene of the crash between Tauranga and Katikati.

The three cars collided about 12pm on a section of State Highway 2 between the two ends of Apata Station Rd.

Northbound traffic is being diverted via Apata Station Rd and southbound traffic is being detoured via Wainui South Rd onto Esdaile Rd.

Heavy vehicles are unable to use the detours and a line of trucks is already building up at the road closure.

UPDATED 12.35pm: A person has died in a three vehicle collision on State Highway 2 at Apata.

Diversions are in place and police are asking people to avoid travelling in the area while they deal with the crash.

A person had become trapped in a van in the crash, which happened 300m north of Apata Station Rd at midday.

Senior Sergeant Ian Campion said that person had been freed but the crash was serious and the section of highway would remain closed for up to four hours.

Traffic is being diverted down Wainui South Rd, Esdaile Rd and Apata Station Rd.

Northern Fire Communications shift manager Scott Osmond confirmed someone had died at the scene.

At least three people have been taken to Tauranga Hospital with serious and moderate injuries.

EARLIER: Western Bay emergency services are responding to a report of a car crash on State Highway 2 near Omokoroa.

A person is believed to be trapped in a van, which was one of three vehicles which have crash near the Apata pick house on SH2.

St John ambulance officers and firefighters from Omokoroa and Katikati have responded.

A Fire Service Northern Communications spokesman said firefighters were called to assist.

It is understood a diversion has been put in place.