Auckland traffic: road closed after serious accident in Penrose, three injured

Firefighters had to free a person caught in a serious accident on a busy Auckland road this morning.

Neilson St in Penrose is closed between Church St and Captain Springs Rd after a car and truck collided.

Traffic is piling up and motorists are being warned to expect congestion in the area as police investigate the early morning crash.

Police said three people had injuries described as moderate to severe and were being taken to hospital.

St John Ambulance said one person was in critical condition and a second was seriously injured.

Motorists are cautioned to avoid the detour area, even for buses.

Fire & Emergency North Shift Manager Craig Dally said a motorist was trapped in the wreckage of one of the crashed vehicles.

Fire crews were currently working to remove the injured person using cutting equipment.

Dally said another person was also injured in the accident.

The accident happened at 6 in the morning.

A police spokesman said authorities were working to reopen the road as quickly as possible. However, the road was expected to be closed for some time.

The Serious Accident Unit was investigating the accident.

Meanwhile, on the Northern Motorway, a rush hour accident had left a lane blocked and traffic heading into town near the Greville Rd ramp.

The New Zealand Transportation Agency warned motorists to drive through the accident scene carefully and to expect delays.