Motorists travelling on State Highway 2 from Opotiki to Gisborne were delayed for hours on Saturday night in the Waioeka Gorge, due to a truck and trailer being recovered from the Waioeka River.

Police received a report of an incident involving a truck on Waioeka Road shortly after 11am on Saturday.

Waioeka Road was down to one lane while Police, Fire and Ambulance services attended the scene.

The driver, who was the single-occupant, was airlifted to hospital in Gisborne in a serious condition.

The removal of the truck and trailer from the Waioke River later in the day involved a further lane closure and traffic control, and motorists were asked to continue to avoid the area.

The road was fully reopened again at 4.36am Sunday morning.