One person has died in a collision between a car and a truck in the Waimana Gorge in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.
The crash happened about 2.10pm today on State Highway 2 in the gorge between Whakatane and Opotiki.
Sergeant Ray Wylie of Eastern Bay of Plenty police said a vehicle and a truck and trailer unit collided.
The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle died at the scene from injuries sustained. The truck driver was uninjured.
The serious crash unit is investigating the cause of the crash.
The name of the deceased will be released once next of kin had been advised, he said.
Any witnesses to the crash are asked to contact Whakatane police on (07) 3085 255.
State Highway 2 between Taneatua and Waimana was reopened about 7.30pm tonight.
Motorist were urged to drive with caution through the gorge last night as the road surface was slippery. A 50km/h speed restriction was in place.
Go to onthemove.govt.nz for more information.
Earlier:
One person has died in a collision between a car and a truck in the Waimana Gorge in the Bay of Plenty.
Fire Service spokesman Scott Osmond said firefighters were called to the scene at 2.14pm.The incident occurred on State Highway 2 in the gorge, between Whakatane and Opotiki, about 1.5km south of Stanley Rd.
The car driver was believed to have died in the crash, Mr Osmond said."All I know is that it's a truck versus a car, and I believe the car occupant is deceased," he said.
Firefighters had not advised that any passengers needed to be cut free from vehicles as a result of the crash.
Bay of Plenty police spokesman Chris Turnbull said the crash had closed SH2 between Taneatua and Waimana until further notice.
Drivers could go an alternative route through Ohope via Waihi Rd, he said. Parts of the central North Island have been hit by wild weather today, with rain causing slips, flooding and rapidly-rising rivers.
NZTA closed SH2 between Te Karaka and Gisborne earlier today because of flooding, cutting off the township.