17 Jan 2022

SH45 closed after fatal South Taranaki crash

3:28 pm on 17 January 2022

State Highway 45 in South Taranaki is closed as police investigate the scene of a crash that killed one man this morning.

Police tape cordons off the property at Taharoa.

Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

In a statement, police said the crash involved a car and a stock truck on State Highway 45 (SH45), at Oaonui, just after 9am today.

Police said the driver of the car died at the scene.

Meanwhile, the driver of the truck was not injured in the crash.

Police said the road was closed in both directions and diversions were in place at the intersection of Ngariki Road and SH45, and the intersection of Upper Kina Road and SH45.

Police expect the road to be closed for some time while the serious crash unit investigates and the truck is removed from the scene.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and take an alternative route.