Five dead in crash near Hamilton, SH3 closed in Ōhaupō, Waikato

Five people have died in a crash near Hamilton this evening, which has forced the closure of State Highway 3.

A police spokesperson said the two-vehicle crash was reported at 4.44pm in Ōhaupō.

Waikato road policing manager Inspector Jeff Penno confirmed the multiple fatalities.

“Sadly at this stage, five people have lost their lives in this head on crash,” he said

“Emergency services are still working through the scene, just making sure we collect all the evidence to understand what has happened in this horrific crash.

“This is a high-volume road and at that time of day it is quite busy, but we understand the conditions to be dry and the weather was dry albeit getting slowly darker. Obviously we will look at all causes and anything that contributed to this horrendous crash.”

Penno said the Serious Crash Unit was currently conducting their scene investigation.

A Hato Hone St John spokesperson confirmed they were at the scene.

SH3 has closed between Jary Rd and Ngaroto Rd.

Motorists have been advised to avoid the area and expected delays. Detours are also in place.

“The Serious Crash Unit has been notified,” police said.

It comes just four days after one person died on the same stretch of road following a crash between a car and a truck.

Police confirmed one person died in the Ohaupo Rd crash on SH3 between Airport Rd and Douch Rd on Friday.

A police spokesperson said the crash was reported about 1.50pm.”A truck and a car have collided,” the spokesperson told the Waikato Herald.

he spokesperson said the car involved was a Land Rover possibly carrying rubbish.Debris had spilled onto the road, which was blocked, the spokesperson said.