Two vehicles were engulfed in flame after a crash near Wellsford. Photo: Supplied
Traffic is crawling along State Highway 1 in Auckland's north after a fiery crash turned two vehicles "into husks".
The highway was closed in both directions through Wellsford following a crash near McPherson Way about 4pm, police said.
It had since been partially reopened under stop-go management, Waka Kotahi/New Zealand Transport Agency said.
Witness Maggie Ray said she saw a "huge plume of smoke", then realised two cars were on fire.
Luckily, the crash was only a couple of minutes out of Wellsford and not far from the fire station, she said.
"We saw little explosions come off the cars which was crazy. [It] turned them into husks really quick."
Police said two people had been injured in the crash.
"Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays."
St John Ambulance has not yet replied to queries about how badly the people were injured.
SH1 WELLSFORD - SERIOUS CRASH - 4:40PM, FRI 29 MAR
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) March 29, 2024
Due to a serious crash, SH1 is currently under STOP/GO traffic management south of Wellsford township, near Wayby Station Rd. Expect delays through the area and consider using SH16 as an alternative route at this time. ^CS pic.twitter.com/hVIHeHngWX
The highway is the main route taken by travellers between Auckland and Northland.
Northbound traffic was heavy there on Thursday morning and throughout Good Friday.
Waka Kotahi said following the crash, people were urged to consider State Highway 16 as an alternative route.
Earlier on Friday, Aucklanders heading south from the city also faced heavy traffic.
The southbound lanes of the Southern Motorway were congested from Manukau to Ramarama.
Construction work was also leading to delays for motorists at Taupiri, just north of Hamilton.
A stretch of SH1 between Lichfield and Tokoroa was also closed.
In the South Island, there were queues south of Christchurch, near Rakaia, on Friday.
EASTER WEEKEND - DELAYS - 11:45AM
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) March 28, 2024
A reminder to expect delays this easter weekend, with delays currently being experienced northbound between Silverdale & Warkworth, as well as southbound between Manukau & Ramarama. Check the Holiday Journeys Map here: https://t.co/YBI1JXQQpt ^MS pic.twitter.com/HBpYPN8gS3
Airports were also expected to be busy all Easter weekend, with hundreds of thousands of travellers taking to the sky.
Air New Zealand said about 227,000 travellers would fly with the airline this weekend.
Anyone flying over the weekend was asked to get to the airport a little earlier than normal to allow time to get through security.
