Investigation under way

Organisations are not commenting on a fatal motorcycle crash at a race meeting in Manawatū while an investigation is under way. A rider died after a serious crash at a Victoria Motorcycle Club meeting at Manfeild in Feilding about 12.30pm on Sunday. Motorcycling New Zealand operations manager Vicky Hicks said she couldn’t comment at this stage except to say they were working through their processes following the crash. The organisation would work with the investigating authority, she said. Victoria Motorcycle Club president Richard Markham-Barrett was contacted for comment but a person who answered the phone at his work said they had been told by Motorcycling New Zealand not to comment. A WorkSafe spokesperson said inquiries were being made to determine whether the incident was work related. “While an investigation hasn't been opened at this stage, depending on the information gathered through these initial inquiries WorkSafe may begin one. An investigation usually takes up to a year to ensure all relevant information is collected.” A police spokesperson previously told Stuff the death was not being treated as suspicious and would be referred to the coroner. Manfeild chief executive Kathy Gibson told Stuff on Monday an investigation was under way, with WorkSafe, police and Motorcycling New Zealand looking into the crash. The Victoria Motorcycle Club posted on its Facebook page that Motorcycling New Zealand, through Sport New Zealand, had arranged free private and confidential support for anyone affected by the crash.