Person dead, SH29 shut down after crash

A person is dead as emergency services deal with two serious truck crashes in the North Island this morning, one of which has closed State Highway 29.

The highway has been shut down just west of the Matamata side of the Kaimai Range.

Fire Service shift manager Jaron Phillips said one person had died and two were seriously injured when a car collided with a logging truck near the intersection.

The accident happened at 9.45am near Hopkins Rd, near Matamata.

Mr Phillips said firefighters said the truck driver was out of his cab but was unsure if those travelling in the car were still trapped.

Emergency services are at the scene and the closure is expected to remain in place for a few hours.

All traffic is being diverted via Tirau. The diversion will add approximately 40 minutes to regular travel time.

The second crash occurred just outside Whangarei at Otaika between a car and a concrete truck.

Mr Phillips said a person was trapped in the car and being cut free by firefighters using rescue equipment.

The trapped driver was in a serious condition, he said.