Horrified motorists watched as a first responder on his knees gave CPR to an injured man in the pouring rain in the middle of the Waikato Expressway motorway this afternoon, a witness says. 

Lanes on the expressway are closed in both directions after what police described as a “serious crash” between two vehicles near Hampton Downs just after 12pm. 

Images show emergency services at the scene with multiple crashed vehicles and traffic being diverted off State Highway 1. 

“Initial indications suggest there are serious injuries,” police said. 

A woman driving north towards Pōkeno told the Herald she saw a smashed up black SUV in the northbound lanes and an injured man being attended to by first responders in the southbound lanes. 

“I’m not sure if he was flung there or dragged over, but he was in the southbound lanes. [I could see] police and emergency services trying to save him. The rain was coming down hard and they were huddled under umbrellas. 

“He was in the middle of the motorway, lying there lifeless. There were six to eight police and a person doing CPR in a yellow coat – he was over the man trying to save him with people all around.” 

The woman, who didn’t want to be named, believed she came upon the crash minutes after it occurred. 

“There were one or two police cars on site already, and traffic was already at a standstill. There was debris all over the northbound lane.” 

She had phoned her husband after leaving the scene, the woman said. 

“It was terribly traumatic to witness. I phoned my husband in tears, and telling him I love him. Seeing something like that, you just think, ‘Be safe, people’. If you’re 10 or 15 minutes late, it doesn’t matter. 

“Tonight I’m going to be cuddling my children extra hard, and thanking my blessings I got home. It’s such an understated blessing to get home safe.” 

Police said this afternoon the northbound lane at the crash scene was blocked. 

Diversions are being put in place at the Rodda Rd onramp and Hampton Downs offramp. Motorists are advised to avoid the area.” 

A car and a truck were involved, Fire and Emergency Northern Communications shift manager Carren Larking said. 

They had sent crews from Te Kauwhata, Pōkeno and Huntly volunteer fire brigades to help, Larking said. 

St John Ambulance sent an ambulance and a rapid response vehicle, a spokeswoman said. 

Emergency services at the scene of a two vehicle crash on the Waikato Expressway at Hampton Downs. Police say the northbound lanes are blocked. 

Cherie Howie is an Auckland-based reporter who joined the Herald in 2011. She has been a journalist for more than 20 years and specialises in general news and features.