SH29 Lower Kaimai crash blocks both lanes as severe weather hits Bay of Plenty

Traffic on SH29 after a crash involving a truck today. Photo / Paula Baxter

State Highway 29 is now clear after a crash in the Lower Kaimai area.

Police received reports of a vehicle collision on SH29 Lower Kaimai at about 10.48am.

“A car has collided with the rear of a truck,” a police spokesperson said.

Hato Hone St John said they sent one operations manager and one ambulance to the scene

“One patient, in minor condition, was assessed and treated at the scene (no transport required).”

The road was blocked but NZTA reports the highway’s now clear but there might still be traffic delays in the area.

With severe weather forecast for the region, people were advised to avoid travelling where possible, or drive to the conditions if they had to be on the roads.

Bay of Plenty Civil Defence advised people not to travel unless it was an emergency, as there may be slips, fallen trees or surface flooding on roads. The organisation recommended drivers check with NZTA or their local council website for any road closures.

An orange heavy rain warning issued yesterday has now been upgraded to a red rain warning for Bay of Plenty, Rotorua and Coromandel.

Evacuations were currently in place for Cooks Beach campground in Coromandel.

Red rain warnings were also in place for Northland and Gisborne from Tolaga Bay.

In the Bay of Plenty and Rotorua, in the 24 hours from 9am Wednesday to 9am Thursday, a further 180mm to 240mm of rain is expected on top of what has already accumulated.