UPDATE 5:15pm: State Highway 2 is closed after a serious crash.
The road is closed between Apata Station Road and Esdaile/Pahoia Roads in both directions.
A police spokesperson says a car and truck have collied on SH2 and one person has died as a result.
'It appears one of the vehicles is on fire.”
'Police and Emergency Services are at the scene and the road will be closed for some time.”
Diversions are in place while the Serious Crash Unit investigate the scene.
Motorists are asked to avoid the area if possible.
EARLIER:
Emergency services are responding to a crash is reported on State Highway 2 near Apata corners.
A caller to the 0800 SUNLIVE news hotline says there is black smoke billowing into the sky and diversions are in place.
Motorists are being warned to expect delays in the area.
At the scene?
Call 0800 SUNLIVE or email photos to newsroom@thesun.co.nz
5 comments
SLOW DOWN ALONG THE BACK ROADS!!!
Posted on 10-09-2018 17:25 | By BlueberryBee
For a good 40 plus mins I have seen some very terrible driving along the Wainui South Straights. I know everyone wonts to get were there going but just SLOW DOWN. Esdaile and Wainui South Rd have lots of bling spots and corners. Drive Safe. We don't wont another accident. !!!
State Highway 2 is not fit for purpose.
Posted on 10-09-2018 17:42 | By Growler
How many more deaths will it take before the government actually steps up and get this road sorted. It just can not handle the volumes anymore. Every intersection is a risk. The road is not fit for purpose! And all the 'safety improvements' in the world are not going to stop these head on fatalities. Anyone can make a mistake, so don't say drivers need to pay more attention. This road needs to be downgraded to a 2 lane side road, and a proper State Highway with a median barrier needs to replace it!
So the road strikes again...NOT
Posted on 10-09-2018 18:53 | By triplediamond
More unsafe drivers on the road. When will people realize that we have too many unskilled, unsafe drivers on the road? Yes SH2 is an overcrowded road but driving to the conditions is not that difficult surely. Slow down, leave distance between vehicles and be patient!
State Highway 2 is fine!
Posted on 11-09-2018 15:40 | By 2cents
It is driver error in 99% of accidents. I have driven that road, from Tauranga to Paeroa (family live there), from Tauranga to Waihi (family bach there), Tauranga to Katikati (friends live there), from Taranga to Auckland (lots of reasons to go there) many, many, times in all of my approximately 30 years of driving. I have had a few little accidents over the years (none of them on SH2) and all were either mine or the other drivers fault. Stop blaming roads, own up and be accountable for your own actions. Teach your children how to be safe, courteous drivers who drive to the conditions! And safe does not mean going 20 below the speed limit everywhere either.
Road building...???
Posted on 11-09-2018 18:09 | By triplediamond
Building bigger and better roads will not make an ounce of difference. While our roads are littered with idiots who think roads cause crashes nothing will change. We have deaths and injury on well built, less traffic volume roads too. For goodness sake, get real....roads do not cause crashes!! Drivers do!
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