UPDATE 10:30am: Police are waiting on a heavy tow for the truck involved in this morning's fatal crash.
It is likely the detours will be in place for at least another two hours.
"We are trying to clear the scene as quickly as we can. Thanks for everyone's understanding and drive carefully out there today," a police spokesperson said.
Diversions in place are through Callaghan Rd into Otira Rd through to Morewa.
UPDATE 9.25am: A fatal crash investigater is on the way to the scene on State Higway 1 which remains closed.