Waikato Police are advising against unnecessary travel and warning of long detours following a fatal collision between two vehicles near Benneydale that has left one person dead and another injured.
Te Kuiti Sub-Area Manager, Senior Sergeant Rob Van Kalken, said SH30 was closed shortly after 2pm after two car collided.
"Initial indications are one person was killed and a car has caught alight with a person injured and trapped inside who was being extracted by firefighters.
"With the highway closed those travelling to Benneydale face a sizeable detour with the alternate route being from Te Kuiti via SH3 to Eight Mile Junction, along SH4 to Pukerimu Rd to Kopaki Rd, through Kopaki village and on to SH30."
The Waikato Serious Crash Unit is on its way to the scene of the crash and the road is expected to be closed for several hours.
End