Three-car crash on State Highway 1 near Whangarei leaves one dead

Sunday, 14 July 2019

One person is dead and two have been injured following a three-car crash south of Whangarei on Sunday afternoon.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) spokesman told Stuff 'multiple' people were trapped in their vehicles after three cars collided on State Highway 1 near Mangapai Rd, Oakleigh.

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One person died in the crash, which Fenz was called to just after 4.45pm, the spokesman confirmed.

READ MORE: Critical injuries following serious Northland crash

Another person sustained serious injuries, while another had moderate injuries.

Four fire engines from Portland, Whangarei and Ruakaka were called to the scene.

Firefighters had to use cutting gear to free occupants from the three vehicles.

A police spokeswoman said officers were called to the crash about 4.50pm.

In a release, police said initial indications were that the crash had caused serious injuries.

The road had been closed and diversions were in place.

Police expected the road to be closed for some time and advised motorists to avoid the area.

The Serious Crash Unit would examine the scene.

Sunday afternoon's crash is the second serious in the Northland region this weekend.

On Saturday, one person suffered critical injuries in a serious single vehicle crash on State Highway 12, east of Kaikohe.