Death on motorway creates huge traffic jam

10.30am

UPDATE - Motorists had a horrendous trip into town on Auckland's western motorway today after a hitchhiker was hit by a truck shortly before the early morning traffic peak began.

Police closed the motorway into the city on the city side of the Newton Road overbridge shortly after 5.30am and re-opened it at 8.45am.

Inspector Andy Brill from the police Northern Communications Centre in Auckland said within a short time of closing the road the traffic had backed up several kilometres, as far as the traffic cameras could see.

He said the traffic began clearing at about 10am.

Traffic was diverted off the motorway to Newton Road but Mr Brill said it was a horrendous morning for motorists trying to get into town as roads at the offramp became heavily congested.

Newstalk ZB radio reported at 8am that traffic was backed up as far as Lincoln Rd in Waitakere City.

The dead hitchiker was Thomas John Davidson, aged 17. No further details were available.

- NZPA and HERALD STAFF