SH2 reopens: Serious crash between a car and a pedestrian

The Karangahake Gorge, between Paeroa and Waihi, was closed earlier as a result but has since reopened. Photo / file

A person is critical after a serious crash between a pedestrian and a car on State Highway 2 in the Karangahake Gorge in the Bay of Plenty.

A St John spokeswoman said one patient was in a critical condition and had been flown by helicopter to Waikato Hospital.

The Karangahake Gorge, between Paeroa and Waihi, was closed earlier as a result but has since reopened.

Police were notified of the vehicle collision at 12.28pm.

Detours for the route were earlier in place and Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency encouraged people to delay their travel where possible, Waikato system manager Cara Lauder said.

The southbound detour took motorists south on State Highway 2 from Waihi to Tauranga, then on to State Highway 29 over the Kaimai Range, State Highway 24 to Matamata, State Highway 27 to Tatuanui and State Highway 26 to Paeroa. Motorists travelling from Paeroa took the same route, in the opposite direction.

Northbound motorists travelling from Waihi took State Highway 25, turning on to State Highway 25A (Kopu-Hikuai Rd) and then State Highway 26 between Kopu and Paeroa, with motorists travelling from Paeroa taking the same route, in reverse.

Waka Kotahi thanked motorists for their patience.