A motorcyclist has been seriously injured in a crash on Auckland's Southern Motorway this afternoon. Photo / David Neilson
Motorists heading away from Auckland city on the Southern Motorway should expect delays following a serious crash between a motorcycle and a truck after the Market Rd off-ramp.
The motorcyclist has sustained serious injuries and is being taken to
hospital.
The crash took place only about 3km away from where a man died earlier today when he fell from a moving vehicle on the motorway.
The Serious Crash Unit has been advised and will attend the scene.
Emergency services at the scene were using a blue tarpaulin to cover up part of the scene from onlookers on the Market Rd bridge which crosses the motorway, a commuter David, who did not wish to give his surname, said.
David didn't see the crash. But the wreckage did not show signs of the motorbike having been run over or dragged along the road by the truck, he said.
Motorway traffic was down to two lanes and heavy from Spaghetti Junction, NZ TA said.
The centre and right lane of the motorway are currently blocked following the crash, forcing heavy congestion in the area.
Traffic was also heavy between Te Irigangi Dr and Takanini.
Motorists were advised to consider using SH16 and SH20 if they plan on heading south from the city centre.
Traffic is heavy for citybound on the Southern Motorway too, particularly between Princes St and Market Rd.
Elsewhere, traffic is heavy between the Harbour Bridge and Upper Harbour Highway for northbound motorists.
Citybound traffic is heavy at Greville Rd and again between Northcote Rd and the Southern Link.
The Northwestern Motorway has heavy traffic between the city and Te Atatu Rd for westbound motorists. Citybound traffic is heavy between Hobsonville Rd and Royal Rd.
On the Southwestern Motorway, traffic is heavy between Puhinui Rd and Coronation Rd, again at Neilson St for northbound motorists.
Southbound traffic is heavy between Mangere Bridge and Puhinui Rd.
Meanwhile, a trespasser has caused headaches for commuters on Auckland's trains this afternoon after the person blocked the lines at Newmarket.
The Western and Southern train lines which run through Newmarket were impacted by the trespasser.
However, the lines have since reopened after the trespasser was removed but it took services nearly an hour for the lines to be cleared.
Auckland Transport wanted to thank commuters for their patience as the trespasser was removed.
Elsewhere, a breakdown blocking the left lane before the Papakura off-ramp on the Southern Motorway heading southbound.
The shark had washed up dead on the shore earlier this week.