Fatal crash closes Bay of Plenty road

A fatal crash three kilometres south of Paengaroa on SH33 has closed the highway.

Diversions are in place using Old Coach, Roydon Downs and Allport Roads. This diversion is on secondary roads and is operating in both directions and motorists are asked to take particular care as traffic is reported to be relatively heavy.

The diversions are likely to be in place for at least three hours as people are still being cut free from vehicles. At this stage one person is confirmed dead at the scene and two others have been transported to hospital with serious injuries. The age and sex of the deceased is yet to be established as emergency services concentrate on rescuing the injured.

This release will be updated as further information can be confirmed. The website will have to be checked to obtain the updates as updates do not generate automatic notifications.