State Highway 1 near Manakau, Horowhenua, reopens after three-vehicle crash injures three, one critically
The main state highway at Manakau in the lower North Island has re-opened after a three-vehicle crash involving a truck left one person critically injured.
The person was flown to hospital with critical injuries, with two others with moderate injuries treated at the scene.
State Highway 1 near Waikawa Bridge was closed after the crash just before 6.30am, but had reopened, police said.
The section of highway was closed for almost seven hours as the Serious Crash Unit investigated the crash on the Manakau North Rail Overbridge, and to allow for the clean-up, and the safety of the overbridge to be checked.
A Hato Hone St John spokesman said one patient was taken to Wellington Public Hospital in a critical condition.
Two other patients, both in a moderate condition, did not need transport to hospital.
Horowhenua mayor Bernie Wanden said the crash was “another tragic event on a particularly nasty piece of road” that had been an issue for decades.
“Unfortunately, [the overbridge] is one of the worst places for an accident on SH1 as there’s no alternative route.”
The crash showed how important the planned Ōtaki to North of Levin Highway (Ō2NL) project was to improve safety and resilience, Wanden said.
However, the 24km expressway isn’t due to be completed until 2029, he said.
“Unfortunately we’ve still got a long time to wait and unfortunately there’s more people now impacted by another tragic accident.”
First responders were today urging all road users to consider their safety, and the safety of others, when travelling over the King’s Birthday long weekend.
Director of road policing Superintendent Steve Greally said police would be focused on the four main causes of death and serious injury on the road – restraints, impairment, distractions and speed.
The public could expect to face consequences if they put lives at risk.
“We all share a responsibility to ensure our roads are safe and collectively we will do our part, but ultimately drivers and riders need to do theirs.
“We’ve seen too many lives lost so far this year due to people driving too fast for the conditions, driving while impaired (by alcohol, drugs, or fatigue), driving while distracted when using a mobile phone or not being properly restrained.”
Fire and Emergency deputy national commander Megan Stiffler urged the public to drive cautiously near crash scenes and give way to emergency vehicles.
“When you see flashing lights or hear sirens, stay calm, slow down, and safely pull over to the left to let the fire truck, the police car or the ambulance pass.
“Attending motor vehicle crashes is a big part of what we do – our firefighters are from your community – your friends, family, neighbours and colleagues. That means we see the harsh reality of what can happen when things go wrong on our roads ... drive carefully, be patient."
Hato Hone St John emergency ambulance crews attend more than 17,000 road crashes each year, many involving children, general manager of ambulance operations Stuart Cockburn said.
“Frontline staff continue to see children who are not properly restrained, are in poorly fitted car seats, or are travelling without an appropriate car seat at all.”
They were there in “some of the hardest moments people will ever face”, but were also parents, grandparents, sons and daughters, Cockburn said.
“These incidents stay with us. This long weekend, we are asking everyone to do the simple things that can save lives: drive to the conditions, be patient, avoid distractions, never drive impaired and make sure every person in the vehicle is properly restrained.”