State Highway 1 has reopened after three people were seriously injured in a crash between a car and a truck near Warkworth, near Auckland this afternoon.

The crash took place between Valerie Close Rd and Toovey Rd, south of Warkworth a police spokeswoman told the Herald.

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A rescue helicopter and three vehicles were deployed to the scene by St John, they received a call to the incident at 1.55pm.

Three patients were treated at the scene, all three transported to Auckland Hospital in serious conditions, St John reported.

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A helicopter was called to the scene. Photo / Stacey McLachlan
A helicopter was called to the scene. Photo / Stacey McLachlan

The crash closed SH1 for about five hours while emergency workers treated the victims, investigated the crash and cleared the wreckage.

Lengthy queues of traffic stretched for kilometres behind the crash in both directions, one motorist said southbound traffic was being turned back.

Emergency services had put detours in place but motorists were also told to delay their journey or avoid the area if possible.

Northbound motorists were told to exit the motorway at the Silverdale interchange, left onto Dairy Flat Highway, right onto Kahikatea Flat Rd, right onto State Highway 16, right onto West Coast Rd for Warkworth, or continue using SH16 for Wellsford.

Meanwhile, southbound traffic from Wellsford was told to move right onto SH16 (Kaipara Coast Hwy), continue through Araperera, Kaukapakapa, left into Kahikatea Flat Rd, left onto SH17, right at Silverdale interchange to re-join SH1.

Southbound traffic from Warkworth, traffic was told to move right onto Woodcocks Rd, continue onto West Coast Rd, left onto SH16 (Kaipara Coast Hwy), left onto Kahikatea Flat Rd, left onto SH17, right at Silverdale interchange to re-join SH1.