One person dead after crash in Matatā, Bay of Plenty

One person has died after a crash in Matatā yesterday.

Two people are in a stable condition in Tauranga Hospital, a Bay of Plenty DHB spokeswoman said.

A police spokeswoman said staff were alerted to the crash between the intersections of Mimiha Rd and Pikowai Rd on State Highway 2 just after 3.30pm.

Yesterday, two people in a critical condition were flown to Tauranga Hospital, and one in a moderate condition was driven by ambulance.

Tāheke Haulage owners Lorne and Moana Green were in their logging truck heading to Te Puke, when the crash happened 300m in front of them, on a straight stretch of road.

Moana said the driving conditions were not dangerous.

The scene near Matatā. Photo / Supplied

Helicopter at the scene near Matatā. Photo / Supplied

"We went into help but some ladies in hospital [uniforms] were assisting, we could only assist with keeping them calm."

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand crew was setting up to use the jaws of life as she returned to the truck, she said.

Emergency services at the scene near Mimiha Rd. Photo / Moana Green

Emergency services at the scene near Mimiha Rd. Photo / Moana Green

There were queues of vehicles back up to near Murphy's camp on the Whakatāne side of the crash.

Lorraine Signal lives in the Pikowai hills above the crash site and saw the helicopters relaying patients to Tauranga.

She said State Highway 2 was "a very busy road".

"We've seen a number of near misses in the three years we have lived at Pikowai."

SH2 PIKOWAI – SERIOUS CRASH – 4:05PM
Due to a serious crash, SH2 is CLOSED between Pikowai and Matata. Follow directions of emergency services onsite. More to come when known. Avoid the area or be prepared for delays. Updates here: https://t.co/lHBNX4NBBF. ^MF pic.twitter.com/UC383zkse3

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Waikato/BoP (@WakaKotahiWaiBP) February 11, 2020

"It's almost 12 months since the three road workers died not far from today's crash."

The crash in February last year killed Rotorua Higgins road workers Haki Hiha, David Eparaima and Dudley Soul Raroa.

The highway is closed between Pikowai and Matatā and a 70-minute diversion is in place via State Highways 33, 30 and 34.

The Serious Crash Unit has been notified.