Drivers stuck for hours after serious crash closes part of SH1 north of Wellington

Traffic on State Highway 1 north of Wellington has ground to a standstill after a serious crash between a car and a van.

Emergency services were called to the scene about 4.40pm.

Motorists have reported huge delays after the southbound lane was closed between the Tawa off-ramp and Glenside on-ramp.

In a social media update at 8.05pm, NZTA said the Serious Crash Unit was undertaking an investigation, which would require the road to remain closed to southbound travellers for a few more hours.

The agency advised southbound motorists to avoid travelling on SH1.

One driver who had been stuck in traffic for over three hours told RNZ "people seem to be panicking and trying to drive up the shoulder".

"They are trying to cut each other off. Seems pointless because no one is moving."

Another person who's been stuck on the road for four hours said people had started parking their cars and walking away across the motorway to wait elsewhere.

Ellie Bailey said she's seen more than 20 people, including some with toddlers, walk along the motorway and cross over the median barrier into oncoming traffic.

"Having to cross across oncoming traffic ... traffic is still moving on the northbound side - people having to cross across with kids in order to get off the motorway."

Bailey was waiting at a nearby McDonald's to stay warm.

She said there had been no police cordon turning people away from the motorway at 5.15pm, and no communication from the police while she was waiting.

"Not one single police officer or any other personnel from anywhere have come down from Porirua on-ramp."

She said an update from police "to know that it could be another hour or two before moving" would provide some relief.

Bailey was concerned about how she and others would be able to return to their cars once the traffic cleared.

"Walking perhaps one or two kilometres along the motorway ... there's no other way of returning to your car."

Earlier, police said one person had serious injuries from the crash. They advised motorists to avoid the area and expect delays.

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