Fatal Wellington crash: State Highway 1 reopens

Name: Watch: Fatal crash closes State Highway 1 until midday as traffic builds
Uploaded: 2016-09-23T09:33:24+12:00
Duration: 22 s
Description: A motorist has died in a crash between a car and truck on State Highway 1 north of Waikanae this morning. State Highway 1 will be closed until midday and traffic using the main route north is being warned to expect major delays. Commuter trains into the capital have also been affected after debris from the wreckage was flung on to tracks.

NZ Herald

22 Sep, 2016 06:15 PM2 mins to read

A motorist has died in a crash between a car and truck on State Highway 1 north of Waikanae this morning. State Highway 1 will be closed until midday and traffic using the main route north is being warned to expect major delays. Commuter trains into the capital have also been affected after debris from the wreckage was flung on to tracks.

State Highway 1 has reopened after a fatal crash on the Kapiti Coast this morning added long delays to motorists hoping to beat school holiday traffic heading out Wellington.

A motorist was killed in a truck crash north of Waikanae at about 6.30am.

State Highway 1 was closed and the New Zealand Transport Authority warned drivers using the main route north to expect major delays. Trains into the capital were earlier disrupted after debris from the wreckage was flung on to tracks.

The NZTA said SH1 beween Te Moana and Peka Peka Roads would remain closed in both directions while police investigated the crash and contractors cleared the crash scene.

"We are aware that this is an important route for many motorists and we are working to get the road open as soon as we can," said regional performance manager Mark Owen.

2.05PM UPDATE - #SH1 Waikanae is now OPEN. Allow for extra time while congestion eases & expect delays as school holidays start today. ^MN
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Wellington (@WakaKotahiWgtn) September 23, 2016

Emergency services remained at the crash scene.

A detour was put in place, adding at least 30 minutes to the journey in and out of the capital.

Waikanae residents reported heavy trucks with big loads on small suburban roads that wouldn't normally see this level of traffic.

Frustrated motorists were asked not to take shortcuts.

"We ask that motorists stick to the signposted detour route as this is the most efficient alternative route to get the volume of traffic through that would normally travel on State Highway 1," said Owen.

The authority said the detour route was suitable for both heavy and light vehicles.

9.10AM UPDATE - Detour route for the road closure on #SH1 Waikanae. ^MN pic.twitter.com/6g9I2z5u1t
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Wellington (@WakaKotahiWgtn) September 22, 2016

Police said the driver of the car had died at the scene and the driver of the truck had minor injuries.

A police spokeswoman said shattered fragments have now been moved off the train tracks and trains could now go through the area but at a severely reduced speed.

The serious crash unit is investigating the crash.