A person has been arrested after driving on the wrong side of the Waikato Expressway (SH1), causing a three-vehicle crash then pulling an about-turn and fleeing the scene.

A police spokesperson says they were first notified of the vehicle, which was driving north in the southbound lane, about 2.40pm.

“Around 2.45pm, police were notified of a three-vehicle crash near Hampton Downs Rd. The offending vehicle was involved in this crash.”

Police say no injuries were reported.

The vehicle fled the scene by doing an about-turn and travelled south in the southbound lane.

“The vehicle was later observed by police travelling north towards Auckland. The vehicle came to a stop after police activated red and blue lights, and the driver was taken into custody.”

A social media post on the Bay of Plenty & Waikato Accidents & Traffic Information Facebook page, made by a person who witnessed the vehicle, says it was “causing everyone to swerve to avoid head-ons, which resulted in nose-to-tails”.

The Waikato Expressway was at a standstill near Hampton Downs earlier as a result of the three-vehicle crash. Photo / Google.

“Looks like anyone coming from Hampton Downs will have quite the delay in traffic. Be safe and patient,” the post reads.

“I will be hugging my loved ones tighter.”

A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesperson confirms three fire trucks and one support vehicle were sent to the Waikato Expressway at 2.47pm.

FENZ confirms no persons were trapped or injured as a result of the crash.

-NZ Herald.