UPDATED 9pm: One person has died after a car crashed off Pekatahi Bridge on State Highway 2 near Tāneatua.

The crash was reported to police around 5:30pm, says a statement from police.

Serious Crash Unit is attending and undertaking an examination at the scene, says the statement.

"Nobody else was injured in the crash.”

The Pekatahi Bridge will remain closed overnight, with diversions in place at Rewatu Road/SH2 and Tāneatua Road/SH2.

Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency is advising the following detour:

Northbound traffic: Turn right from SH2 onto Taneatua Road, left onto Arawa Road, continue onto Hinemoa Street to SH30. To return to Pekatahi turn left onto Mill Road, right onto Patuwai Road, left onto Paroa Road. Continue on to Te Rahu Road then on to Station Road. Left onto Titoki Road then right onto Rewatu Road to return to SH2.

Southbound traffic: The reverse of above, or follow SH30 from Awakeri via Whakatane.

EARLIER: Emergency services are attending a serious single-vehicle crash on State Highway 2, Tāneatua.

Police received a report around 5:30pm that car had gone off the Pekatahi Bridge, says a police spokesperson.

The road is blocked and diversions are in place at Rewatu Road/SH2 and Tāneatua Road/SH2.

Motorists are advised to expect delays, says the spokesperson.

Information on injuries will be released when available, they say.

Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency is advising the following detour:

Northbound traffic: Turn right from SH2 onto Taneatua Road, left onto Arawa Road, continue onto Hinemoa Street to SH30. To return to Pekatahi turn left onto Mill Road, right onto Patuwai Road, left onto Paroa Road. Continue on to Te Rahu Road then on to Station Road. Left onto Titoki Road then right onto Rewatu Road to return to SH2.

Southbound traffic: The reverse of above, or follow SH30 from Awakeri via Whakatane.