A pedestrian has been hit by a bus on Te Irirangi Drive in east Auckland - followed an hour later by a three-car collision at the nearby traffic lights.
Police said a man was hit near the intersection of Te Koha Rd, outside Botany Town Centre, around 4.20pm. Police were called at 4.21pm to reports that the man was lying in the left-hand southbound lane.
The man had suffered moderate injuries and was being taken to Middlemore Hospital, a St John spokeswoman said.
Te Irirangi Drive - a major arterial route - was blocked in both directions.
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Advertise with NZME.Auckland Transport spokesman James Ireland said the bus was a Howick & Eastern vehicle contracted to AT. A Howick & Eastern route manager was headed to the scene.
There were around 20 passengers on board, all of whom got on the next bus on the route.
"The driver is quite shaken and will be taking tomorrow off work. He will be given all the support he needs," Ireland said. "The bus has been released and is being taken back to the depot."
Traffic in east Auckland has been further held up by a three-car crash at the intersection of Te Irirangi Drive and Ti Rakau Drive around 5.20pm.
A police spokesman said traffic was still flowing and people were standing outside their cars. It is not known if there were any injuries as a result of the second crash.
A third crash was holding up traffic in both directions on Avimore Drive near Aberfeldy Ave.
