Serious crash closes main road between Hawke's Bay and Manawatū

A serious crash that happened around 2.30am has closed Saddle Rd. Photo / Google Maps

A serious crash left Saddle Rd, the main route between Hawke's Bay and Manawatū, closed early this morning.

The NZ Transport Agency said the accident, which happened around 2.30am, had closed the road between Woodville and Ashhurst.

A detour was available via the Pahiatua Track but drivers should take care and allow extra time, the NZTA tweeted.

The road has now been reopened.

It's the second crash in less than 24 hours on Saddle Rd, which became the key route between Hawke's Bay and Manawatū after the closure of the Manawatū Gorge.

SADDLE RD, MANAWATU-WHANGANUI - SERIOUS CRASH - 6AM
Due to a serious crash, Saddle Road is CLOSED between Woodville and Ashhurst. Detour is via Pahiatua Track. Please take extra care and allow extra time for your journey. ^EH pic.twitter.com/gEoaDRYssZ

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Central North Island (@WakaKotahiCNI) December 8, 2019

Around 12.30pm on Sunday police received a report of a car on its side in the same section of road.

One person had suffered minor injuries and the road was blocked for around half an hour while police responded.