Tauranga woman killed in Easter Weekend crash near Taupō

The crash happened on Friday around midday. Photo / File

Two people died and several others were injured in the western Bay of Plenty and Lakes areas in the first two days of the Easter long weekend.

Tauranga woman Kellie Jane Greer died at the scene of a fiery crash near Taupō on Friday, police have confirmed.

The 49-year-old was the driver of one of the two cars involved.

The crash happened around midday at the intersection of State Highways 30 and 32 near Whakamaru, about 50km north of Taupō.

One car caught fire after the crash.

The investigation into the crash is ongoing, with the police Serious Crash Unit called to the scene.

Police extended their sympathies to Greer's family and friends.

The highway reopened just after 5pm on Friday.

On Saturday, a person died following a serious crash between a car and a motorcycle at the intersection of State Highway 38 and Okaro Rd in Waimangu, south of Rotorua.

A second person was injured.

Emergency services were advised of the crash about 11am and Okaro Rd was closed until shortly before 5pm, with the highway down to one lane for some of that time.

On Friday, one person was seriously injured in a crash in the Athenree Gorge, north of Tauranga, and flown to Thames Hospital.

The crash, which closed State Highway 2 between Old Tauranga Rd and Athenree Rd for several hours, was reported to police shortly before 11am.

It happened on the highway near Arden and Mathers roads, about 2-3km from Old Tauranga Rd towards Tauranga.

Three other patients were taken to Tauranga Hospital in a moderate condition, a St John Ambulance spokeswoman said.

The highway reopened shortly before 6pm on Friday.

SH2 ATHENREE GORGE, BAY OF PLENTY - SERIOUS CRASH - FINAL UPDATE 5:50PM The state highway is fully OPEN. Thank you for...

Posted by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Waikato BoP on Thursday, April 1, 2021