Police close the Northern Motorway south of Silverdale after a two-car crash involving a stolen car. Photo / Hayden Woodward
The Northern Motorway has been blocked after a vehicle was stolen from a member of the public in Point Chevalier before fleeing north and colliding with another car on State Highway 1 near Silverdale this afternoon.
The serious crash happened between Oteha and Silverdale. It closed the motorway to northbound traffic which is now gridlocked.
According to Google Maps, traffic is backed up all the way to Albany, with motorists warned to expect significant delays.
Images from the scene show a white van tipped on its side lying near a badly damaged ute. A long line of motorists are sitting stationary behind the crash scene.
A police spokesperson said the Northern Motorway was blocked following a multi-vehicle crash northbound about 2.50pm.
“Police responded to Point Chevalier after a vehicle was stolen from a member of the public, before continuing to the Northern Motorway where they have been involved in a multi-vehicle crash.
“The road is blocked from Oteha Valley and enquiries into the circumstances of the incident are ongoing. The Serious Crash Unit has been advised.”
Police said the stolen vehicle had fled police but was not being pursued. A rescue helicopter landed on the motorway at the crash site to attend to the injured motorists.
NZTA Waka Kotahi asks people to avoid the area or consider taking Dairy Flat Highway.
A witness told the Herald she saw a golden Toyota Hilux pass them while “driving erratically on the Northern Motorway.
“We saw him driving in the middle of two lanes. We saw him hit one car, and further along, we saw him hit a motorbike and the guy came off his motorbike,” she said.
“We didn’t see anything after that, but he clipped a van further up, and the van flipped.”
The witness said at least five or six police cars passed them at first and four or five flew by later.
“The road is expected to be closed for another couple of hours,” she said.
“The guy has been apprehended apparently.”
UPDATE 4PM #SH1 Northern Mwy remains CLOSED to northbound traffic between Oteha and Silverdale. Avoid the area and consider SH16 for travels north this afternoon. ^CS https://t.co/PLHxVMv420
— NZ Transport Agency - Auckland & Northland (@nztaaklnth) October 13, 2024
A St John spokesperson said they transported two people to North Shore Hospital in a moderate condition.
A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said they received a call at 3.06pm to a motor vehicle crash on the Northern Motorway.
”We responded with three fire trucks. Upon arrival, we found a two-car motor vehicle crash.”