Serious crash outside Western Springs Speedway leaves one person dead, another in serious condition

One person has died and another is in a serious condition after a crash near Western Springs Speedway which closed a major Auckland road earlier today.

Police said the crash, involving two vehicles on the northbound lanes of Great North Rd, was reported about 2.30pm.

This evening, police confirmed one person had died and the Serious Crash Unit has conducted a scene examination. Inquiries are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash, police said.

A photo from the scene showed a white sedan hit a lamppost head-on. A reporter on Great North Rd described the scene as “graphic”, with a firefighter giving the injured driver CPR and the passenger being treated by paramedics.

Police said initial indications were that one person had critical injuries.

A second damaged car could be seen a few metres behind the first.

St John has one ambulance on the scene, as well as a rapid response vehicle.

Another ambulance, another rapid response vehicle and a paramedic manager were also heading to the scene, a St John spokeswoman said.

A white sedan hit a lamppost head-on and a second car close behind the first was damaged. Photo / Dean Purcell

Diversions were currently in place and motorists were advised to expect some delays in the area while emergency services work at the scene.

A section of Great North Rd was closed but has since reopened.

Auckland Transport said a section of the road was closed between Stadium Rd and Tuarangi Rd.

“Avoid this area or expect delays with diversions in place affecting all traffic, including bus services.”

Due to an emergency services incident, the road is blocked in both directions at MOTAT, Great North Road, Grey Lynn. Bus routes 11T, 11W, 132, 18,195 will be detoured until further notice. Expect delays. Updates to follow. https://t.co/rR1pltDGF8 pic.twitter.com/xCCbgUdEbh

— Auckland Transport Travel Alerts (@AT_TravelAlerts) November 14, 2023

Staff at a nearby Caltex station said they didn’t hear the crash but had spoken with a woman who was left distressed after witnessing it. She had come into the petrol station to use the toilet and was now speaking with police.

Emergency services attend the scene on Great North Rd at Western Springs. Photo / Dean Purcell

GREAT NORTH RD, WESTERN SPRINGS - 2:50PM
Due to a serious crash a section of Great North Rd is now CLOSED in both directions between Stadium Rd & Tuarangi Rd. Avoid this area or expect delays with diversions in place affecting all traffic, including bus services. ^HJ pic.twitter.com/QHKsBiTYAp

— Auckland Transport Travel Alerts (@AT_TravelAlerts) November 14, 2023

Another serious crash, between a bus and a car, occurred just 100 metres from today’s crash three months ago.

Both vehicles suffered severe damage, although the occupants escaped relatively unscathed, with no serious injuries.