State Highway 27 was closed near Patetonga after a truck crashed into a tree and killed one

One person died after a serious accident on State Highway 27 near Patetonga, where a truck and trailer are believed to have collided with a tree.

Emergency services are responding to the incident, and a police spokeswoman said they were first alerted around 1:14 p.m.

Although the injuries were not originally known, police confirmed that one person died at the scene of the accident.

The incident took place on the road between Tramline Rd and Maukoro Landing Rd.

Motorists are being asked to avoid SH27 as it was closed north of Maukoro Landing Rd near Tahuna due to the accident.

The Waka Kotahi NZ Transportation Agency says motorists should consider using alternative routes or delaying their trip, when possible.

A worker at the Italian bakery in Patetonga said a police officer had blocked the southbound road to the Tahuna turnoff.

They didn’t know what had happened, other than hearing that a truck had crashed.

More to come.