Auckland drivers travelling south of Harbour Bridge gridlocked after man falls from bridge

Emergency services at the scene where a person has died after falling from an Auckland bridge. Photo / Kane Dickie

A person has died after falling from a bridge on to Auckland's State Highway 1.

Police warned of delays into the evening for commuters trying to get out of central Auckland.

Initially the SH1 link to east and west was blocked, bringing southbound traffic to a gridlock.

SH16 Hobson St on-ramp westbound was also closed due to the death.

They were later reopened, with delays expected.

FINAL UPDATE 4:40PM
All lanes are now OPEN again following an earlier Police Incident on the #SouthernMotorway. Expect delay as congestion eases through Spaghetti Junction. ^MF https://t.co/fstELvTrKh

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) June 17, 2022

Meanwhile, traffic heading north was gridlocked by a series of crashes near the Highbrook Dr onramp.

NZTA said there were three seperate crashes causing delays int he area.

Emergency services are on-site.

"Pass the scene with care and expect delays."

SH1 SOUTHERN MWY - 6:10PM
Three separate crashes are causing delays for northbound traffic near the #SH1 Highbrook Dr on-ramp. Emergency services are on-site. Pass the scene with care and expect delays. ^MF pic.twitter.com/4cZprQqCoT

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) June 17, 2022

FINAL UPDATE 6:35PM
All crashes have been cleared of lanes and are now in the northbound shoulder. Expect delays until these crashes can be fully cleared. ^MF https://t.co/IK5vHbn450

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) June 17, 2022

Earlier, Emergency services were called to the scene under the Hopetoun Bridge at 3.30pm today after the incident. The person who fell from the bridge later died, police said.

Drivers were being advised to follow the director of emergency services onsite and should expect delays, Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency said.

"Motorists are advised some affected lanes are expected to reopen around the scene as soon as possible. Police thank motorists in advance for their cooperation," a police spokesperson said.

SH1 SOUTHERN MWY - 3:50PM
Due to a Police incident the #SH1 Link to SH16 East and West is currently blocked. Follow direction of emergency services on-site and expect delays. Updates here: https://t.co/FjIsLH2Cj9. ^MF pic.twitter.com/jWbtfMvEpy

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) June 17, 2022

UPDATE 4:25PM
Due to this incident, the #SH16 Hobson St on-ramp westbound is also closed. ^MF https://t.co/fstELvTrKh

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) June 17, 2022