Vehicles were being turned around at Te Pohue on the Napier-Taupo Rd following a fatal crash. Photo / Warren Buckland.
One person has died in a crash between motorcycle and truck on the Napier-Taupō Rd.
Police said the crash happened on State Highway 5 near Te Pohue about 6am on Friday.
A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesman confirmed one person had died.
Crews were called to the scene at 6.01am and helped police and ambulance until just before 7.30am.
A St John media spokeswoman said one person was also in a critical condition. Two ambulances, a rapid response unit and a helicopter were sent to the scene.
A female was transferred to Hawke's Bay Hospital in a critical condition via rescue helicopter.
A male, in his 60s, was also treated at Hawke's Bay Hospital, but was later discharged.
Hawke's Bay Today understands from a witness at the scene that the motorbike had two riders on it at the time of the collision with the truck, which was turning out of a side road.
The road reopened around 1.30pm, more than seven hours after the crash.
This morning several travellers who were at the cordon decided to wait until the road re-opened, rather than turning back. Emergency services handed out water bottles to keep those wanting to get through hydrated.
The majority of traffic coming from the Napier side was stopped at Eskdale and turned around, although officials did allow some traffic further down the road.
Police thanked the public for their patience.
'We could have carried on ... but when we found it, the damage was already huge.'