Two people are dead following a serious crash near Whangarei

Saturday, 20 October 2018

A major road has been blocked and two people are dead after a crash south of Whangarei.

It brings the Labour Weekend's holiday road toll to three.

Emergency services are at the scene of the serious crash on State Highway 1, south of Whangarei at Oakleigh, after two cars crashed just before 4pm. 

Both lanes are blocked and the road will be closed for several hours.

**READ MORE:

* Serious crash near Ōtorohanga

* Slow start to Labour weekend

* SH1 north of Wellington re-opens after epic closure**

Fire and Emergency NZ shift manager, Craig Dally, said four fire crews had attended the scene and three trapped people had been rescued from the cars.

A police spokeswoman said two people had died at the scene and three others were has serious to moderate injuries. 

They were being taken to hospital. 

It's understood one car was on its roof.

The road has been closed near Totara Rd and diversions are in place at Salmon and Springfield Roads for cars and other small vehicles, however it is not suitable for heavy vehicles or campervans.

Police are advising motorists to avoid the area.

The serious crash unit is investigating.

The Labour Day weekend road toll officially began at 4pm on Friday and ends 6am on Tuesday.

A police spokeswoman confirmed three people have died on our roads so far.

Motorcyclist Ethan Nathaniel Bishop, 18, died in a crash near Otorohanga last night.

Bishop died at the scene after a collision between a motorbike and a car on Scown Rd about 7.30pm.

The female driver of the car suffered minor injuries.

Last year there were five deaths and 76 reported injuries on the roads over Labour weekend.

Four vehicle passengers, one motorcyclist, and a cyclist died in the crashes.

In 2016, three people died in crashes during the same holiday period. Five people died in 2015.

On Friday, a MetService communications meteorologist said for people heading up north, it would be a 'blimmin' nice' weekend. 

Aucklanders and those heading north could expect settled conditions and warm temperatures.

SH1 MATA - CRASH - 4:05PM

We have reports of a crash BLOCKING both lanes near the intersection with Totara Road. Please follow the directions of emergency services and expect delays. ^EW pic.twitter.com/6Sksk5w1Dc

— NZTA Akld & Nthlnd (@NZTAAkl) October 20, 2018