State Highway 1 was closed for close to two hours as emergency services attended the scene of a serious one-vehicle crash at Hatepe.
State Highway 1 was closed for close to two hours after a serious single-vehicle crash resulted in one person being critically injured.
Emergency services were called to the crash in Hatepe, near Rereahu Ave at about 4.40pm on August 5.
A police spokesperson said one person received critical injuries as a result of the incident.
The serious crash unit was advised and the road was closed until one-lane could be reopened under stop-go traffic management.
A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said three fire trucks and three support vehicles were dispatched to the motor vehicle crash.
“We found no persons trapped and we assisted police and ambulance,” the spokesperson said.
New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi issued an alert on social media about the crash at 5.40pm.
“A serious crash has been reported to emergency services on SH1 Hatepe, south of Taupō,” the alert said.
“Please follow directions of response crews in the area. A road closure may be required. Expect delays. An update will be provided as soon as more information is available.”
At 5.55pm NZTA issued a second alert which said the road was open under stop and go traffic management.
“Expect delays in the area”.
The road has since been reopened.
Maryana Garcia is a Hamilton-based reporter covering breaking news in Waikato. She previously wrote for the Rotorua Daily Post and Bay of Plenty Times.
The defect is common with bridges of its type right across the country.