23 Dec 2018

Holiday traffic: one dies, two critically injured on SH1

10:28 pm on 23 December 2018

One person is dead and two others are in a critical condition after a crash south of Foxton, in Manawatu.

No caption

State Highway 1 was closed earlier today after a crash near Te Horo, north of Wellington. Photo: RNZ / Katie Scotcher

The crash involving two cars happened just after 6.30 this evening. It closed State Highway 1 for the second time today, after two vehicles collided at around 4:30pm near Te Horo, north of Wellington.

The road was closed between Te Horo Beach Road and Te Hapua Road, with diversions in place, but reopened at 6pm.

The police are trying to identify the person who died in the Foxton crash, and contact their family.

Three people suffered minor injuries in the incident.

Diversions are in place - using State Highway 57 and the Foxton - Shannon Road.

Eight people have now died on the roads since Thursday.

The official road toll period does not start until tomorrow.