Motorway mayhem: Crashes on Auckland's Southern Motorway, one death

Traffic was heavy for commuters on Auckland's motorways on Friday night. Photo / NZTA

It's been a disastrous night on Auckland's Southern Motorway with three crashes, one resulting in the death of one person.

New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) is warning drivers to take extra care because traffic is backed up in both directions on the motorway.

Police confirmed a person had died after suffering a medical event that caused a northbound vehicle to crash just north of Papakura shortly before 5pm.

It is not yet known what caused the medical event.

As a result of the crash, traffic is crawling between Papakura and Takanini. Witnesses said the vehicle had crashed into the middle barrier of the motorway and members of the public were holding up a tarpaulin blocking people from seeing the victim.

SH1 SOUTHERN MWY, SOUTHBOUND - 6:30PM
A crash is blocking the left lane southbound between Market Rd and Greenlane. Expect delays. ^TP pic.twitter.com/Edt94rQGgJ

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) July 17, 2020

A witness said directly opposite the crash two cars travelling south had also collided.

"It looks like they might have been gawking at the crash and lost control themselves.

SH1 SOUTHERN MWY - DELAYS - 5:45PM#AklTraffic is slow and heavy in both directions tonight due to a crash (clear of northbound lanes) between Papakura and Takanini. Expect delays northbound from Drury and southbound from Manukau until cleared. ^TP pic.twitter.com/uFW679CSGn

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) July 17, 2020

Two ambulances, one fire crew and police attended the initial crash. NZTA tweeted that it had now been cleared but that traffic was still slow.

UPDATE 6:45PM
This crash now cleared. ^TPhttps://t.co/OnMxA6atYe

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) July 17, 2020

NZTA later said in a tweet two more crashes - one blocking the left lane southbound between Market Rd and Greenlane, the other blocking the right lane southbound by Ellerslie Panmure Highway off-ramp - have also been cleared, NZTA reports.

Elsewhere, NZTA reported that a breakdown blocking the left lane southbound on the Victoria Park Flyover, just after the exit to Fanshawe St, has also been cleared.

UPDATE 5:20PM
This crash (southbound) has now been cleared, however #AklTraffic through this area remains slow in both directions with emergency services attending a crash (now also clear of lanes) northbound. ^TPhttps://t.co/xLrshoOVnX

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) July 17, 2020

And a breakdown on the Auckland Harbour Bridge during rush-hour delayed traffic before being cleared.

SH1 AKL HBR BRIDGE, SOUTHBOUND - 5:00PM
A breakdown has just been cleared after blocking the left lane (lane 1 of 3) citybound on the Harbour Bridge. Expect delays through the area. ^TP pic.twitter.com/aoE5HYN2QV

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) July 17, 2020

UPDATE 5:15PM
This breakdown now cleared. ^TPhttps://t.co/TOn0m1cvdw

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) July 17, 2020

More to come.