Serious crash closes SH26 near Morrinsville in Waikato

Two early-morning crashes have closed stretches of highway and left one dead and one injured.

Just before 5am, a vehicle crashed into a tree on State Highway 26 at Tatuanui, east of Morrinsville.

A stretch of highway near the SH27 intersection was closed.

A statement from police said one person had died at the scene.

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

A detour was in place via SH27, the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi website says.

SH26 is closed close to the SH27 intersection east of Morrinsville in the Waikato following a serious crash. Image / NZTA Waka Kotahi

Meanwhile, a motorcycle rider suffered critical injuries after crashing on the Te Puke Highway, just north of SH1, around 7.15am.

A section of the highway was closed. Motorists were advised to avoid the area and expect delays.

The Serious Crash Unit have been notified.

The crash follows another on the highway on Saturday which left one person dead and another in a critical condition in hospital.

Another crash on Sunday night left two people dead and another with serious injuries near Matamata.

Emergency services were called around 8pm on Sunday night to the crash between a motorbike and another vehicle near the corner of SH29 and Pond Rd.

The motorcyclist and their passenger were pronounced dead at the scene.