Double fatal crash closes highway north of Te Kuiti

Sunday, 8 October 2017

Two people have died after a crash on a main highway through the King Country.

At least two others have suffered injuries in the two car smash on State Highway 3, north of Te Kuiti.

Emergency services were called to the crash near Lees Block Road next to the aerodrome at 1.30pm on Sunday.

St John ambulance confirmed two people had died at the scene. 

The two injured were flown to Waikato Hospital with moderate injuries. 

Waikato police Senior Sergeant Mike Henwood said emergency services had just arrived at the scene at 1.45pm and radio coverage was bad in the area. 

He said diversions were being put in place on SH3 at SH37 (Waitomo Caves Road) and at the intersection with Oparure Road.

One resident who lives nearby said the crash occurred at the end of a passing lane.

'There's a passing lane straight and apparently it's right down at the southern end of that straight - there's a left-hand bend.'

Her friend who had just been at the crash scene said at least two vehicles were involved. 

'There are multiple fatalities because they have tarpaulins over the vehicles,' he told her after being turned around from the crash scene. 

'I couldn't actually identify any vehicles but there was a tarp over one and they were pulling out another tarp as I turned around,' he said. 

She said it had been raining for most of the day and the road was wet. 

Hearing of the crash had brought back memories of a crash involving the woman's husband and son a few years ago. It happened on the highway not far from there. 

'I've only heard the helicopters and a terrible sense of sickness in my stomach from the crash that my family had two years ago.'

Another resident heard the helicopters fly into the area near the Te Kuiti aerodrome. 

Motorists report traffic is backed up in the area. 

At the roadblock, near Hangatiki, police were guiding vehicles down the diversion route in the rain. 

Fire crews from Te Kuiti were on site. 

A serious incident has been reported on #SH3 Te Kuiti. Emergency Services are on site. We will update as soon as more info is available. ^MN pic.twitter.com/PIS9wdAcU0

— NZTA Waikato/BoP (@NZTAWaiBoP) 8 October 2017