One dead, three injured, after head-on crash

State Highway 2 is closed at Te Puke following a major accident that has left one dead. File photo / NZ Herald

One person is dead and three are seriously injured following a head-on crash near Te Puke this morning.

St John spokesperson Brett Tobeck said emergency services got the call at 10.55am this morning.

He said one person died at the scene, while three others were taken to Tauranga Hospital in a serious condition.

Police said State Highway 2 is closed at Te Puke following the accident, which was a head on crash between a light truck and a car.

Diversions have been put in place between Te Matai Road and Number 1 Road Te Puke.

Western Bay of Plenty acting road policing manager, Sergeant Mark Holmes, said people should avoid the area if possible.

"We appreciate that some people may already be travelling in the area, so our advice to those wishing to travel to Te Puke, Papamoa or Mt Maunganui should leave SH2 and travel up Te Matai Rd and travel back down Number 1 Rd to Te Puke," he said.

"Those people on SH2 wishing to travel to Tauranga should leave SH2 and travel up Te Matai Rd and onto Pyes Pa Rd."

Mr Holmes said the road will remain closed "for some time".

- HERALD ONLINE