One person killed in serious Northland crash, State Highway 1 closed

One person has died after a serious multi-vehicle crash on State Highway 1 in Northland this afternoon.

The two-vehicle crash was reported shortly after 3pm today outside the town of Moerewa.

Police confirmed one occupant, a 69-year-old man from Doubtless Bay, died with two women in another vehicle sustaining injuries.

The passenger was flown to Whangarei Hospital with serious chest injuries.

The driver was taken by ambulance to nearby Bay of Islands Hospital with moderate injuries.

SH1 is currently closed near Moerewa, and the Serious Crash Unit will examine the scene. The highway is expected to be closed for a number of hours.

There are reports of traffic tailbacks stopped for 5km in either direction.

At this stage traffic is being diverted through Paihia, though further diversions are expected to be put in place later this afternoon, police said.

Motorists in the area are advised to expect significant delays to their travel this afternoon.

The road closure is expected to be in place for some time while the scene is examined, police said.