Auckland motorway crashes leave two people dead and four injured

It was a slow journey into Auckland for commuters this morning, after a fatal crash overnight. Photo / Nazahryth Bernard

• Two dead and four injured after separate crashes on Auckland motorways overnight.
• One man died after walking onto the Southwestern Motorway at 1.30am, where he was struck by at least three vehicles. None stopped, and police are appealing for the drivers to come forward.
• The second person died - and four others were injured - in a 2.20am crash on the Southern Motorway, which closed a section of the motorway for several hours this morning.

A man killed early today after he walked onto the Southwestern Motorway was struck by at least three vehicles - none of which stopped, police say.

The man was one of two people killed on Auckland motorways overnight, after a single vehicle crash on the Southern Motorway at Ōtara at 2.20am left one person dead and four others injured - two critically.

The critically injured pair was taken to Auckland City Hospital, and two others with serious injuries to Middlemore Hospital, police said.

Commuters were delayed as a northbound section of the motorway between Manukau and East Tamaki closed for several hours.

Inquiries into both tragedies are underway, with police appealing this morning for motorists involved in the Southwestern Motorway (SH20) incident to contact them.

A man died on a section of the State Highway 20 motorway near Mt Roskill after walking onto the motorway, said Detective Senior Sergeant Kathy Bostock, of Auckland City CIB.

He was struck by at least three vehicles, Bostock said.

“The man entered the northbound on-ramp at Dominion Road at around 1.30am ... none of the vehicles [which struck the man] stopped at the time.”

She urged the vehicles’ drivers to contact police.

“They are an important part of us establishing the circumstances of this tragic event.

“An investigation is now underway and it’s important those motorists do the right thing and come forward.”

A scene examination had been completed and the motorway was open, she said.

Police also wanted to hear from people travelling on the motorway between 1.30am and 2am.

“We know there were a number of vehicles passing through, so we’d especially like to hear from anyone who has dashcam footage.”

Contact police on 105, or go to a local police station and quote reference number 250207/4077.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

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