A look at the stark death toll on New Zealand roads over the years. Video / NZ Herald
One person has died and another four have been injured in a crash on State Highway 1 in the north of Auckland.
The crash - which happened near Cowan Bay Rd in Warkworth - caused the closure of a section of SH1 between Puhoi and Warkworth, leading to extensive trafficdelays.
NZTA tweeted that the section of SH1 "is now open" at 6.55pm.
One nearby resident said the traffic was the worst he'd ever seen in the eight years he had lived in the area.
UPDATE 4:30PM#SH1 remains closed between Grand Dr, Orewa and Woodcocks Rd, Warkworth as a serious crash investigation takes place. Delay your journey or expect delays on the detour route via SH16. ^LB https://t.co/TbgIqcLarO
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) January 14, 2022
UPDATE 6:55PM This section of #SH1 is now OPEN. Expect delays as congestion eases. Thank you for your patience. ^LB https://t.co/TbgIqcLarO
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) January 14, 2022
St John attended the incident at 1.38pm. Initially four people suffered moderate injuries and one had critical or life-threatening injuries.
Police later confirmed the critically injured person had died. One of the people listed initially as moderately injured is now in a serious condition.
Drivers have been diverted off SH1 and through to Makarau and SH16. It is estimated to take 50 minutes to get from Puhoi to Warkworth, as of 6pm.
Since then, another two crashes occurred within half an hour.
At 4.40pm, one car crashed on SH16 just south of Wellsford, leaving one person with minor injuries.
Shortly before 5pm, a campervan smashed into a fence on Woodcock Rd between Old Kaipara Rd and Edgerley Rd. No one was injured but a police spokeswoman said they received complaints of traffic delays.
McLoughlin said he was hearing of other crashes around the area as traffic built up extensively.
AA principal adviser advocate Martin Glynn said the project between Puhoi and Warkworth would help ease the pressure on SH1 and this crash highlighted why it was so important.
"A crash like this is tragic, the road has to be closed because police need time to investigate, but it just shows why we need more reliance ... the network should be able to cope so one crash doesn't shut things down like we have seen today."
Glynn said the whole stretch, including north of Warkworth, was dangerous and given the volumes of traffic, dual lanes needed to be looked at.
People stuck in traffic have taken to Facebook, one saying the stretch of road was "so dangerous with impatient drivers".
Another said: "It's gridlock in all directions ... Flat Rd is the end of the queue going north via SH16."
Five St John vehicles attended the crash on SH1 and a helicopter was also dispatched.
State Highway 1 is closed between Puhoi and Warkworth. Photo / via Google Maps
Just before 3pm, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport tweeted that the state highway was closed between Grand Drive in Orewa and Woodcocks Rd in Warkworth.
"[It] is likely to remain closed for some time today to allow for a serious crash investigation. Delay your journey or use SH16 via Kaukapakapa as an alternative route," NZTA said.
UPDATE 2:50PM#SH1 is now CLOSED between Grand Dr in Orewa and Woodcocks Rd in Warrkworth and is likely to remain closed for some time today to allow for a serious crash investigation. Delay your journey or use SH16 via Kaukapakapa as an alternative route. ^LB https://t.co/TbgIqcLarO
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) January 14, 2022
1:50PM - Reports of a crash on #SH1 near Cowan Bay Rd in Warkworth. Please follow directions of emergency services. Delays in the area are likely. Diversions may be required. Road closure is possible. ^LB pic.twitter.com/rg4cWe5WNR
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) January 14, 2022
UPDATE 2:50PM#SH1 is now CLOSED between Grand Dr in Orewa and Woodcocks Rd in Warrkworth and is likely to remain closed for some time today to allow for a serious crash investigation. Delay your journey or use SH16 via Kaukapakapa as an alternative route. ^LB https://t.co/TbgIqcLarO
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) January 14, 2022
