Rush-hour crash snarls up CBD

Busy streets in central Auckland were closed during rush-hour yesterday afternoon after a serious crash involving a motorcyclist and two cars.

The male motorcyclist was critically injured in the accident at the intersection of Karangahape Rd and Symonds St at 3.45pm.

No one else was hurt.

Police closed the intersection, including the Symonds St on-ramp to the Southern Motorway.

Grafton Bridge was also shut.

Motorists were advised to avoid the area and delay travel from the CBD.

The roads were not reopened until 6pm, although several lanes were operational from 5pm.

The serious crash unit was last night investigating the collision.

Inspector Darroch Todd of the police northern communications centre said the motorbike and a car, going south through the intersection from Karangahape Rd, collided with a second car coming along Symonds St.

The motorcyclist, whose age and name were still to be released, was in a critical condition in Auckland Hospital last night.