One person is dead and another critically injured and trapped inside a car following a head-on collision in the Coromandel this morning.
Motorists are being warned of heavy delays following the crash on State Highway 25 at Pukepoto, between Tairua and Whitianga, about 6.55am.
One person has died, while another has critical injuries, Senior Sergeant Andrew O'Reilly, of the Waikato District Command Centre, said. Emergency services were working to free the patient from the wreckage of their vehicle.
"At this point we believe two vehicles, each with one occupant have collided head-on," Mr O'Reilly said. "One driver has died while another has suffered critical injuries.
"An air ambulance helicopter is flying to the scene to transport the injured party, once freed, to hospital."
It was too early to speculate on the cause of the crash, he said.
SH25 would be closed for several hours, Mr O'Reilly said, advising against all but "absolutely urgent travel" in the area.
"There are no diversions available where the crash happened and people in Whitianga intending travelling south towards Thames, Whangamata or Waihi will need to do so via Coromandel and the Thames Coast Rd," he said.
"Heavy transport vehicles are asked, where possible, to avoid both the area around the crash and the Thames Coast Rd due to anticipated heavy traffic flows diverted on to this route."
The collision had taken place in ideal driving conditions, Mr O'Reilly said.
"It just goes to show, you can't take your eye of the ball when the weather fines up," he said.
"Driving is a challenging task irrespective of climate, conditions or terrain and we need to drive to survive."
By Patrice Dougan of NZME. News Service
