Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Two people have been seriously injured and a section of State Highway 1 north of Levin is shut after the crash.
The co-owner of a farm near the scene of a crash, north of Levin, says a gas delivery truck and an ambulance have collided.
The road is closed after emergency services were called to the crash on the stretch at Waiterere – near the intersection of Koputaroa Road – on Friday.
UPDATE 11:25AM
Due to a crash, SH1 is now CLOSED from Koputaroa Rd.
Detour via Koputaroa Rd for both north and southbound traffic.
Please note detour is NOT suitable for heavy vehicles. Northbound detour available via SH57 and Foxton Shannon Rd. Reverse for southbound. ^JP https://t.co/l17Ok2nfhj
— NZ Transport Agency – Central North Island (@nztacni) March 5, 2026
St John’s New Zealand said a paramedic and the driver of another vehicle have been taken to Palmerston North Hospital with serious injuries following the crash.
Area operations manager Gareth Collings said a St John’s rapid response unit was caught up in the crash which happened at 10.40 am near Poroutawhao, north of Levin.
SH1 is closed in both directions.
Photo: NZTA
“The paramedic in the rapid response unit and the driver of the other vehicle were both treated for serious injuries and transported to Palmerston North Hospital by ambulance. Our thoughts are with those impacted by this incident and we are offering support to our people who were involved,” Collings said.
St John’s would be “supporting police” investigating the cause of the crash.
Genesis energy’s Ed Hyde confirmed one of its LPG delivery vehicles was involved in the crash.
“Our driver has been taken to hospital for assessment and treatment. Genesis has another vehicle on the way to the scene to collect the LPG cylinders and we will work with emergency services to make the site safe,” Hyde said.
Farm co-owner Geoff Lewis says the truck is heavily damaged and appears to have lost its front axle in the impact.
He says the area has been closed off due to dangers presented by gas cylinders on the truck.
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