Fatal crash closes SH2 north of Napier after car plunges off bank

Holidaymakers turn around on State Highway 2 north of Napier after a serious crash closed the road. Photo / Doug Laing

One person is dead after a car plunged off a bank on a notorious stretch of highway north of Napier in a wild day on Hawke’s Bay’s roads.

State Highway 2 was closed after the serious crash north of Tangoio Settlement Rd about 11.45am today.

The vehicle reportedly went over the bank of the road.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesperson said crews had been working to extract one person from the vehicle.

A Hato Hone St John spokesperson said crews were at the scene.

Police said initial indications suggested there were serious injuries but later confirmed the sole occupant of the vehicle died at the scene.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) closed SH2 north of Whirinaki, with the crash scene about 11km to the north, near White Pine Bush Scenic Reserve.

NZTA said the police serious crash team would need to attend the scene because of the nature of the incident.

The road was closed for several hours before reopening this evening.

A Hawke’s Bay Today reporter on the Napier side of the road closure said vehicles, including campervans, motorhomes and those towing trailers, were being turned back.

It wasn’t the only crash in the region today.

A truck crashed on Waimārama Rd near Kahuranaki Rd about 11am.

A police spokesperson said no injuries were reported and only one lane of Waimārama Rd was open as the vehicle was recovered.

About the same time, a single vehicle crashed on SH50 near Glencoe Station Rd, between Maraekakaho and Tikokino.

A police spokesperson said no injuries were reported and the southbound lane on SH50 was closed for a short time while the vehicle was recovered.