One person has been killed and another seriously injured in a head-on crash at Karaka this afternoon.
Witnesses reported that three cars were involved and at least two people were trapped in the vehicles after the crash just after 3pm, police said.
Police have confirmed one person died and one other person was critically injured, with grave concerns for their survival, while a third suffered moderate injuries in the crash on Karaka Road (State Highway 22) just east of Whangapouri Road.
Both lanes were blocked and motorists were advised to avoid the area.
Eastbound traffic is being diverted onto Blackbridge Road and across the Hingaia Bridge to the motorway interchange. Westbound traffic is being diverted onto the old Great South Road.
