Two suffer critical injuries in State Highway 1 crash north of Whangarei

The crash happened about 1.5km north of Hikurangi. Photo / Google Maps

State Highway 1 in Northland has reopened three hours after two people suffered life-threatening injuries in a two-car crash.

Firefighters had to free at least two people from the wreckage of their vehicles following the crash north of Whangarei, a police spokeswoman said.

The vehicles collided about 1.5km north of Hikurangi at around 7.50am.

A third person was seriously injured while several others had minor injuries, Fire and Emergency NZ reported to police.

The Serious Crash Unit has been advised.

The road has now fully reopened, the NZTA said, after earlier warning drivers to expect delays.

FINAL UPDATE 11.10AM
The road has re-opened. Thank you. ^MF https://t.co/dDnMmIxNYY

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) April 24, 2018

SH1 - HIKURANGI (NORTH OF WHANGAREI) - BOTH DIRECTIONS - CRASH 8:45AM

A crash North of Hikurangi (near Waro) is blocking lanes in both directions. Please avoid this area if possible and expect delays ^JF pic.twitter.com/uXDWJM6POA

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) April 24, 2018