Car and truck crash in Matamata-Piako, delays expected

Five people are injured after a truck and car crashed on State Highway 29 at Te Poi.

Emergency services were alerted about 12.10pm and motorists should expect delays, police said in a statement.

“The incident happened between Hanga and Rapurapu Rds,” a police spokesperson said.

“Initial indications suggest two people have serious injuries, one person has moderate injuries, and two people have minor injuries.

UPDATE- 1:00PM
Due to a truck crash, lanes are partially blocked in both directions on #SH29 between Hanga Rd and Rapurapu Rd on the western (Matamata) side of the Kaimai Ranges summit. Allow extra times for delays in the area. ^JF https://t.co/wDsEDfk6gA

— NZ Transport Agency - Waikato & Bay of Plenty (@nztawbop) July 17, 2024

“Both lanes are currently blocked and traffic management is being arranged.”

A Hato Hone St John spokesperson said one person in a serious condition and one in a minor condition were being taken to Tauranga Hospital by ambulance while one in a serious condition and two in a moderate condition were being taken to Waikato Hospital by ambulance.

More to come.

Malisha Kumar is a multimedia journalist based in Hamilton. She joined the Waikato Herald in 2023 after working for Radio 1XX in Whakatāne.