Less than an hour later, emergency services were called to a collision between a logging truck and a car on Takitimu Drive near 15th Ave.
The car spun 180 degrees as a result and the northbound section of the expressway was blocked off as emergency services dealt with the incident.
Mr Campion said no one was hurt.
Just after midday and only a few kilometres away, two Bay Hopper buses crashed at the junction of Cameron Rd and Elizabeth St, leaving passengers shocked.
Bus 436 had its windscreen smashed after hitting the back of a bus which was stationary at the traffic lights about 12.10pm.
A passenger in the front bus, who would only be known as Alisha, said everyone on the "packed" bus from Welcome Bay was in shock when it happened.
"We just felt a big jolt from behind."
She said traffic was backed up behind the incident while the drivers talked before moving the buses to the central city stop.
Alisha said the back of their bus was dented as well as the other bus having a badly smashed windscreen.
It was understood no one was injured.
A mother picking up her children from the school bus in the Kaimai Ranges said it was lucky a hydraulic fluid spill did not happen further down the hill.
About 2.40pm a truck and trailer carrying soil leaked hydraulic fluid on State Highway 29, near Thorn Rd.
When Melissa Hamilton went to pick up her children from a bus stop she saw the bus slide on the fluid briefly before pulling over and coming to a stop.
Tauranga police responded to a report of a spill of hydraulic fluid. The fluid was believed to have come from a fully laden soil truck and trailer.
