SH2 at Takapau closed after fatal two-vehicle crash in Hawke’s Bay

One person is dead and four injured after the crash, police say.

One person is dead and four others have been injured – three seriously – after a crash in Hawke’s Bay.

Emergency services were alerted to the two-vehicle crash on State Highway 2 in Takapau, about 20km southwest of Waipukurau, just before 6.40pm, police said.

“One person died at the scene, three other people sustained serious injuries and one person was moderately injured.”

The crash occurred near the highway’s intersection with Maharakeke Rd, and the highway remained closed, police said just before 9pm.

Detours are in place via Maharakeke Rd and SH50.

“Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.”

The crash occurred on State Highway 2 at Takapau in Central Hawke's Bay. Image / Google Maps

The fatal crash is the latest in a string of accidents that have claimed lives in recent days.

A person died in a crash in rural Taranaki on Monday afternoon.

Three people died when their car crossed the centre line and collided with a tanker truck on the Desert Rd late Monday night.

The truck driver suffered moderate injuries.

In Christchurch, a woman died in hospital following an overnight crash in the city, police said yesterday.

On Saturday, a person died in hospital after being injured in a crash in the Canterbury settlement of Dunsandel two days earlier.

Māori rugby and tennis legend Dinny Mohi died on Saturday aged 85. Photo / Ben Fraser

The same day former Māori All Blacks captain Dinny Mohi and another person died when a vehicle crossed the centre line and collided with another near Ngongotahā.

Mohi, 85, was on his way to the Ōhinemutu dawn parade in Rotorua to honour the Anzacs.

Two people also died in separate crashes in North Auckland’s Wellsford and on SH29 in the Kaimai Range on Thursday last week.

‘Slow down, buckle up, put the phone away’

Nine more lost their lives in a five-day period earlier this month, prompting police to sound a warning to motorists ahead of the long Anzac Day weekend.

“We are asking all road users to prioritise safety and please make good decisions whenever you’re travelling not just over the long weekend but every day – regardless of if your journey is near or far," Inspector Logan Marsh said.

Motorists were reminded to “slow down, buckle up, put the phone away”, and to always organise a sober ride home if drinking.