Two injured in Northland crash

Two people have been injured following a crash on Smeatons Hill, SH 1 - south of Whangarei. PHOTO/MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM

Two people have been injured following a crash on SH 1, south of Whangarei.

At about 8.30am today a southbound vehicle, driving on Smeatons Hill on State Highway One, lost control and collided with a northbound vehicle.

The female and male drivers of the two vehicles were taken to Whangarei Hospital with moderate injuries. A male passenger of the southbound vehicle was not injured.

Traffic is backed up along State Highway One on Smeatons Hill as one lane remains open while the crash scene is cleared, so motorists need to be patient, delay their travel or take alternative routes.

Acting Northland Road Policing Manager Inspector Wayne Ewers says people need to take extra care on the wet roads.

"On hot days oil and diesel rises to the surface of the roads and when mixed with the rain water the roads become very slippery."

Mr Ewers says motorists need to watch their following distances and slow down around corners.

Last Tuesday a 45-year-old man died after his vehicle crossed the centre line on Smeatons Hill and collided with an oncoming logging truck.