UPDATED: 8.39PM One person has died, and another is in a serious condition after a car crash in the Waitomo district.

Emergency services were called to the scene, about 5km north of the Awakino Tunnel, at quarter past one this afternoon.

Two sole occupant vehicles travelling in opposite directions collided on a bend in the gorge.

The driver of one vehicle died at the scene.

The other, a 62 year old New Plymouth man, was stabilised at the scene by St John paramedics before being flown to Taranaki Base Hospital with serious chest and abdominal injuries.

 

The road is closed, with no diversions in place, so motorists are being told to avoid the area, or delay travel where possible.

The Transport Agency said State Highway Four could be used as an alternate route, but it would add a signifcant amount of time on to any trip.

State Highway Three is expected to be closed for at least four hours.