Five people have tragically lost their lives in a head-on collision on State Highway 3 / Ohaupo Rd near Te Awamutu, as confirmed by Waikato police this evening.
The accident, described by Waikato road policing manager Inspector Jeff Penno as “horrendous,” occurred just before 4:45 pm under dry conditions and clear weather, though it was nearing dusk.
The serious crash unit has been actively collecting evidence at the scene, and plans are underway to remove the bodies and vehicles, according to a report in state media.
The response to the crash involved three ambulances, two rapid response units, and two operations managers from St John, along with three fire trucks from local stations.
The road has been closed between Jary Road and Ngaroto Road, with detours established and traffic advisories urging motorists to avoid the area.
The local council anticipates that the closure will last for several hours as investigations continue into the cause of the catastrophic event.
SH3 OHAUPO ROAD, OHAUPO 5:15PM
Due to a crash on State Highway 3 (Ohaupo Road), a section or road is closed south of Jary Road, Ohaupo. Follow directions of emergency services on site. ^CO pic.twitter.com/nVJMwmoN8X— NZ Transport Agency – Waikato & Bay of Plenty (@nztawbop) May 28, 2024
Image credit: Lucian Alexe
What a tragic accident 😢 you never know when your time is up. Get right with the Lord!