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One person died in the car accident. Image / Google
A baby died and two people were injured in a serious car accident in the Far North.
The tragedy occurred shortly after 1 pm on Kaitaia-Awaroa Rd south of Roma Rd and approximately 1 km north of Herekino Gorge.
Two other people in the car were initially in serious condition, although one has since improved.
Kaitaia-Awaroa Rd is currently closed at the junction of Roma Rd and north of Herekino.
Large car queues are building up with summer traffic compounded by larger than usual traffic volumes on Kaitaia-Awaroa Rd.
With State Highway 1 still closed in the Mangamuka Gorge from slipping caused by the July storm, Kaitaia-Awaroa Rd is currently the main west coast route to Kaitaia.
Kaitaia’s traffic is being diverted via Waiotehue Rd, a winding and unsealed minor road.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area.
Two ambulances from St John responded along with the Whangārei-based Northland rescue helicopter. A Westpac helicopter was also dispatched from Auckland.
A spokeswoman for St John said one of the patients was in serious condition.
The second patient is being cared for on the spot and does not require hospital treatment.
The seriously injured patient was airlifted to Whangārei Hospital around 2 PM.
Volunteer firefighters from the Kaitaia and Ahipara brigades are also on the scene, along with an accident investigator from the police Serious Accident Unit.
