Live: Serious accident at Waterview Tunnel as school holiday traffic increases

There has been a serious accident in Auckland’s Waterview Tunnel and traffic is accumulating rapidly.

Some northbound lanes are now blocked as traffic backs up from the tunnel exit to the Dominion Rd exit.

Ambulance and police teams are on site attending to those involved in the accident and controlling the flow of traffic.

One patient was taken to Auckland City Hospital in critical condition, a St John spokeswoman said.

The service dispatched two ambulances and a manager to the accident after being alerted at 1:28 p.m., he said.

The Waka Kotathi NZ Transportation Agency has asked motorists to avoid the area if possible.

Those who cannot are asked to use the right and center lanes through the tunnel and merge carefully.

The accident comes as peak traffic is expected to increase significantly tonight, as some Auckland families look to get away on Friday afternoon for the start of the school holidays.