Person critical after Southwestern Motorway crash involving car and truck

Two northbound lanes of Auckland's Southwestern Motorway were closed after a crash involving a truck and a car this morning. Photo / NZTA

One person is in critical condition after a pre-dawn crash involving a car and a truck on Auckland’s Southwestern Motorway.

Lanes and an off-ramp closed by the crash were reopened more than four hours later, with traffic now moving freely.

The crash, near Māngere, was reported at 4am, a police spokesperson said.

Traffic heading north was left at a standstill back to the Southern Motorway link earlier this morning.

The accident happened on northbound lanes by the Coronation Rd off-ramp.

The driver of the car was extracted from the vehicle and taken to Auckland City Hospital in a critical condition.

Two northbound lanes were closed while the Serious Crash Unit conducted a scene examination, the spokesperson said.

All lanes and the Coronation Rd off-ramp have now reopened, but were closed for hours after the crash.

At 7.20am, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) said the Coronation Rd off-ramp was closed and advised motorists to “pass with care and expect delays”.

One lane reopened, leaving two available for traffic, it said at the time.

“Traffic is heavy as far back as the link from SH1. Consider an alternative route, delay travel or expect delays.”

Traffic shown on Google Maps at 7.30am this morning. Photo / Google Maps

Google Maps showed gridlocked traffic in that area earlier this morning; however it is beginning to ease now.

At 8.30am, NZTA said that all lanes and the off-ramp had reopened.

UPDATE 7:00AM

The northbound Coronation Rd off-ramp is still closed, along with two lanes of the motorway. Traffic is heavy as far back as the link from SH1. Consider an alternative route, delay travel or expect delays. ^KF https://t.co/Qt8lkgliW9

— NZ Transport Agency - Auckland & Northland (@nztaaklnth) December 2, 2025

Inquiries into the crash remain ongoing, said a police spokesperson.

The trapped driver was freed eight minutes after crews arrived on the scene, and 16 minutes after they got the call, Fire and Emergency shift manager Josh Pennefather told the Herald.

Fire and Emergency sent three fire engines to the accident, one being a specialist rescue vehicle.

Hato Hone St John sent one transport ambulance, one critical care Jeep and one operations manager.