Police have cordoned off State Highway 5 north of Rotorua fter a milk tanker and a tractor crashed. Photo / Andrew Warner
State Highway 5 remains closed following a fatal crash between a milk tanker and a mowing tractor near Rotorua.
A police spokeswoman said police were called to the crash, about 25km northwest of Rotorua, about 10.40am.
They have since confirmed one person, the tractor driver, died in the crash.
The truck driver suffered moderate to minor injuries.
Diversions remain in place and motorists planning to use the route are advised to delay travel until further notice or allow extra time for a detour via Tauranga. Heavy vehicles should detour via Tokoroa.
Police cordon points on SH5 are at the SH28, Tapapa, intersection and at Maraeroa Rd intersection for local travel only between Ngongotahā, Hamurana or Mamaku.
Earlier, a St John spokeswoman said two ambulances and a helicopter were sent to the scene.
A cafe owner in the area said she had seen a lot of emergency service vehicles driving past before closing the road.
"There were about four police cars, a helicopter, two ambulances," she said.
State
What happens when you come face to face with a heavy truck on a single-lane gravel track?