Three people have been seriously injured in a multi-vehicle crash near Dairy Flat that closed an 8.2km section of Auckland's Northern Motorway for several hours this afternoon.
The motorway reopened between Oteha Valley Rd and Silverdale shortly after 6pm.
Police said they received reports of the crash around 2.05pm on Thursday.
"Initial indications suggest there have been critical injuries," a spokesperson said.
Both northbound lanes were blocked from the Oteha Valley Rd on-ramp.
Hato Hone St John said it responded with six ambulances, three rapid response vehicles and an operations manager.
Two people were taken to Auckland Hospital in a serious condition, while three were taken to North Shore Hospital in moderate and minor conditions.
NZTA said the section of State Highway 1 closed between Oteha Valley Rd and Silverdale had reopened shortly after 6pm.
Northbound traffic backed up more than 4km, to just south of the Northcote Rd interchange.
"An official detour is available via Dairy Flat Highway," said a spokesperson at the time.
"Traffic is already heavy and building, so please plan ahead, drive with care and use the available detour route."
Traffic was also built up on the alternate route north along East Coast Rd.
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