‘Extensive delays’: major crash south of Warkworth shuts down SH1

A serious accident closed State Highway 1 north of Auckland, and motorists were warned to expect “long delays”

Emergency services were called at the scene of a serious two-car accident on SH1 between Puhoi and Warkworth, near Pohuehue.

A police spokesman said the road is expected to remain closed in both directions for some time and that motorists should expect long delays.

“The police were called around 5pm. Initial reports indicate that there have been injuries.”

NZTA said the road was expected to be closed for 3-4 hours while police conducted a serious investigation of the accident.

A northbound detour will be established via SH16 from Silverdale, the agency said.

Anyone traveling north or south in the area should take SH16.

A photo from the scene shows a collision involving multiple vehicles spread across the northbound and southbound lanes.

You can see the lines of traffic that are formed.

A northbound motorist in the area said traffic stopped at least a kilometer after the accident.

He said it appeared that a ute and a car were involved in the accident.

Meanwhile, motorists further south on SH1 in Kinleith, north of Taupō, have also been warned of long delays after a serious two-car accident closed the road in both directions.

A police spokesman said they were alerted to the incident at 6 pm and initial reports indicate there are people injured.

“The road is expected to remain closed in both directions for some time and
motorists must expect long delays. Motorists are asked to avoid the area, there will be detours instead. “