Multiple crashes cause injuries and delays in Te Puna and Tauriko

Traffic backed up near the Bethlehem roundabout. Photo / George Novak

Two crashes have caused injuries and traffic delays in Tauranga this afternoon.

A two-car crash around 12.30pm blocked State Highway 2 near Clarke Rd in Te Puna, closing the road for more than two hours.

A St John spokeswoman said one person with serious injuries and two with moderate injuries were taken to Tauranga Hospital.

A Bay of Plenty Times photographer said traffic was well backed up before Bethlehem roundabout.

Motorist Sarah Jane was travelling from Ōmōkoroa to Bethlehem and said traffic was extremely backed up in the area.

"People are having to take the Te Puna Station Rd from Bethlehem. Traffic was just picking up."

The road was reopened about 3pm.

Meanwhile a three-vehicle crash caused delays on State Highway 29 in Tauriko. Police were advised of the crash between Cambridge and Gargan Rds about 12.20pm.

A St John spokeswoman said two ambulances went to the scene and took three people with moderate injuries to Tauranga Hospital.

The road was reopened just after 2pm.

Fire and Emergency NZ staff attended both scenes.

A police media release said the circumstances of both crashes were being investigated.