Update, 11.55pm: State Highway 2 is now open again, following an earlier fatal crash.

One person has died and one person is in a critical condition following the crash on State Highway 2 this evening in Western Bay of Plenty.

Police say the two-vehicle crash happened at Tanners Point, between Katikati and Waihi, about 4.50pm.

The Police Serious Crash Unit was advised.

Update, 9pm:  Police are advising that one lane has now reopened to traffic on State Highway 2 between Katikati and Waihi following a fatal crash earlier.

"State Highway 2 at Tanners Point is expected to be fully open again around 9.30pm following a fatal crash earlier today," says a police spokesperson.

"Traffic management has been in place for a short while with one lane open to traffic."

Update, 7.30pm: One person has died and one person is in a critical condition following a crash on State Highway 2 this evening in Western Bay of Plenty.

Police say the two-vehicle crash happened at Tanners Point, between Katikati and Waihi, about 4.50pm.

"The road [SH2] remains closed, and the Police Serious Crash Unit has been advised," says a police spokesperson.

NZTA Waka Kotahi are requesting motorists delay their journey between Katikati and Waihi or allow extra time for a long detour.

Alternative routes are as follows:

Southbound traffic, SH2 then left onto SH26, left onto SH27, left onto SH24, continue onto SH29, carry on to Cambridge Rd, then back onto SH2.

Reverse for southbound traffic.

It is unknown how long SH2 will remain closed.

6.10pm: Due to a serious crash State Highway 2 is closed between Athenree Gorge and Tanners Point.

NZTA Waka Kotahi are requesting motorists delay their journey between Katikati and Waihi or allow extra time for a long detour.

Alternative routes are as follows:

Southbound traffic, SH2 then left onto SH26, left onto SH27, left onto SH24, continue onto SH29, carry on to Cambridge Rd, then back onto SH2.

Reverse for southbound traffic.

It is unknown how long SH2 will remain closed, but emergency services at the scene have told motorists that it is likely to be for at least four hours.

5.45pm: Motorists have been told that State Highway 2 near Tanners Point may be closed for up to four hours following a two-vehicle crash.

"My partner was between the Bowentown turnoff and the Tanners Point turnoff and has been told by emergency services that State Highway 2 will be closed for the next four hours at least," says a SunLive reader.

NZTA Waka Kotahi reports that a serious accident involving two vehicles has been reported to emergency services in this area and SH2 is closed between Athenree Gorge and Tanners Point.

"Please delay your journey or use an alternative route," says an NZTA spokesperson.

Earlier, 5.05pm:  Emergency services are responding to a vehicle crash on State Highway 2 near Tanners Point.

"Motorists are advised a crash on State Highway 2 at Tanners Point in the Western Bay of Plenty has blocked the road," says a police spokesperson.

"It happened about 4.50pm and involved two vehicles."

A SunLive reader says four fire engines are at the scene.

"Both sides of the road [are] blocked," says the SunLive reader.

Police say it is unclear at this stage whether there are any injuries.

Motorists are advised to delay travel.

At the scene?

Phone 0800SUNLIVE or email newsroom@thesun.co.nz