Marae opens doors to stranded drivers as crash blocks SH1 at Manakau
RNZ / REECE BAKER
A marae near the scene of crash that has closed State Highway 1 between Ōtaki and Levin has opened its doors to stuck drivers.
State Highway 1 at Manakau is expected to remain closed for several hours following an earlier crash near Whakahoro Road.
Emergency services were called to the two-vehicle crash near Manakau around 10.20am between Whakahoro and Kuku East Roads, and remain on site.
Police said Te Iwi o Ngati Tukorehe Marae just north of Manakau has opened its doors to drivers waiting for the road to open and is providing cups of tea.
A worker at a nearby business said traffic in the southbound lane was at a standstill.
"It's very quiet and the traffic has just stopped. You can hear people's voices rather than the drone of the traffic.
"There's a line of traffic - trucks, cars - nothing travelling north."
They thought it was "fabulous" that the nearby marae had opened its doors to waiting drivers.
Police urged motorists to delay any non-essential travel, with diversions via Palmerston North and the Remutaka Hill taking about three hours.
The police Serious Crash Unit is investigating.
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