Tauranga Eastern Link reopens: One critically injured airlifted to hospital

Scene on the Tauranga Eastern Link this morning. Photo / NZTA

One person was critically injured after a two-car crash closed part of the Tauranga Eastern Link this morning.

NZ Transport Agency said the road was fully open again after earlier the northbound lanes had closed as police conducted a serious crash investigation.

There were also heavy delays through the Te Puke Highway detour.

A Bay of Plenty Times reporter said traffic had been backed up from about 2km east of Waitangi right through to Te Puke.

FINAL UPDATE 11:20AM
This section of #SH2 is now fully OPEN again. Thank you for your patience. ^TPhttps://t.co/E9fCmwk7n9

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Waikato/BoP (@WakaKotahiWaiBP) February 4, 2020

A police spokeswoman said they were called to the crash scene just after 7am.

05/02/20 07:01: Traffic incident in PAPAMOA BEACH. 3 patients treated, 3 patients transported to various destinations. Helicopter dispatched. For more details refer to Police. https://t.co/EgILBaux7E

— St John (@StJohnAlerts) February 4, 2020

Cordons at the Paengaroa roundabout end of the Tauranga Eastern Link. Photo / Stu Whitaker

A St John spokeswoman said one critically injured person was flown by helicopter to Waikato Hospital while two others with minor injuries were taken to Tauranga Hospital by ambulance. One ambulance and one rapid response vehicle had attended the scene, she said.

UPDATE 7:30AM
Northbound lanes on #SH2 are now CLOSED at the Paengaroa (SH33) roundabout. Please use alternative route via Te Puke Hwy to get to Tauranga. ^TPhttps://t.co/ZJ0n0nQoI9

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Waikato/BoP (@WakaKotahiWaiBP) February 4, 2020

Initially one person was trapped and another was out of one of the vehicles.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said three crews were sent to the scene at 7am. The person was removed from the vehicle at 7.51am, he said.