Fatal crash on SH29 Lower Kaimai

Fatal car vs truck crash on SH29 Lower Kaimai. Photo/Andrew Warner

Update: State Highway 29 in the area of Poripori Rd, Lower Kaimai, has been closed due to the crash.

A detour route, released by NZTA, has been set up. Eastbound traffic should turn right onto McLaren Falls Rd, left onto Omanawa Rd, right onto SH29. Westbound traffic should turn left onto Omanawa Rd, right onto McLaren Falls Rd, then left onto SH29.

Police have advised motorists to avoid the area if possible.

A reporter at the scene said traffic had been "totally blocked up" before the diversions were put in place. Cars that arrived near the scene were told to turn around, he said.

1.55pm: A person has died in a road crash with a truck on State Highway 29 Lower Kaimai.

Emergency services are at the scene of the crash.

A police statement said at about 1:30pm a car and a truck collided near the intersection with Poripori Road and SH29.

The driver of the car died at the scene.

Traffic diversions are in place and the police serious crash unit would be investigating.