Serious crash blocks State Highway 2 in Upper Hutt, one person taken to hospital

State Highway 2 is blocked north of Wellington. Photo / NZME

One person has died in a single-vehicle Manawatu crash this morning and a two-vehicle crash in Upper Hutt has seriously injured another.

The fatal crash happened about 3am on Rangiotu Rd, near Te Awe Awe Rd, Rangiotu. The Serious Crash Unit is investigating.

The two-vehicle crash crash happened near Marchant Rd, seriously injuring one and temporarily closing the Remutaka Hill Road.

Two crashes on State Highway 1 northbound are also causing delays. The first, near Johnsonville has partially blocked the northbound Johnsonville off-ramp, and the second at Ngauranga Gorge is causing queues to back up the Gorge

SH1 NGAURANGA GORGE, NORTHBOUND - CRASH - 10:35AM
Northbound traffic is currently being HELD just prior to the Johnsonville off-ramp. Expect delays heading up the Gorge as queues are developing. ^CS pic.twitter.com/IaMRmJ4pIH

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Wellington (@WakaKotahiWgtn) October 16, 2023

SH1 JOHNSONVILLE, NORTHBOUND - CRASH - 8:55AM
A crash is partially blocking the northbound Johnsonville off-ramp. Pass with care and expect light delays northbound through the area. ^CS pic.twitter.com/eKMqpZujFl

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Wellington (@WakaKotahiWgtn) October 16, 2023

Light delays should be expected throughout the area.

Further north on State Highway 2, Waka Kotahi is also warning of strong winds over the Remutaka Hill.

Motorists - especially those in a lighter or high-sided vehicle, or riding a motorcycle - are being advised to take extra care.

MetService has a strong wind watch in place for Wellington, Wairarapa south of Carterton, and Marlborough until 2pm today.

It says northwest winds could approach severe gale in exposed places.

Wellington is experiencing strong northerlies this morning, with gales in exposed places expected to reach gusts of 100km/h.