SH29 Lower Kaimai Crash: Road Blocked, Delays Expected

State Highway 29 is blocked after a crash in the Lower Kaimai area. Police received reports of a vehicle collision on SH29 Lower Kaimai at about 10.48am. “A car has collided with the rear of a truck,” a police spokesperson said. “The road is blocked and tow wagons have been called to the scene. “Motorists are asked to avoid the area as there will be some delays as traffic builds up.” Hato Hone St John said they sent one operations manager and one ambulance to the scene “One patient, in minor condition, was assessed and treated at the scene (no transport required).” NZTA reported that the crash was blocking northbound and southbound lanes. “Expect delays travelling through the area.” With severe weather forecast for the region, people were advised to avoid travelling where possible, or drive to the conditions if they had to be on the roads. Bay of Plenty Civil Defence advised people not to travel unless it was an emergency, as there may be slips, fallen trees or surface flooding on roads. The organisation recommended drivers check with NZTA or their local council website for any road closures. An orange heavy rain warning issued yesterday has now been upgraded to a red rain warning for Bay of Plenty, Rotorua and Coromandel. Evacuations were currently in place for Cooks Beach campground in Coromandel. Red rain warnings were also in place for Northland and Gisborne from Tolaga Bay. In the Bay of Plenty and Rotorua, in the 24 hours from 9am Wednesday to 9am Thursday, a further 180mm to 240mm of rain is expected on top of what has already accumulated.