Stuntman dies in bike crash
Johnny Danger killed during ride to mark Anzac Day
Stuntman and entertainer Johnny Danger was killed in a motorcycle crash yesterday afternoon while taking part in an organised Anzac Day ride.
The death is one of two fatalities involving motorbikes in the city within 45 minutes. The other victim was a man in his 60s.
It is understood Danger, whose real name is Johnny Bennett, died in the motorbike crash in Lucas Heights, in Albany, about 2.30pm.
Those first on the scene tried desperately to revive their injured mate but he could not be saved.
Footage of Bennett preparing for the ride was posted on social media hours before his death.
There were emotional scenes at the site. Family members stood by and hugged as police officers lifted a body from a gully off Dairy Flat Highway.
Police used road cones to block off the side of the road where it meets Hobson Rd and diversions were put in place. Officers carrying out a scene investigation looked to be focusing on a broken section of a fence by a gully.
Friend Carl King confirmed Bennett’s death to the Herald.
He said he was with Bennett and several other motorcyclists as part of an Anzac Day rally.
After the incident he and several others tried to revive Bennett, he said.
King had posted a video on Facebook showing him and at least eight other motorcyclists travelling in convoy through Auckland.
Social media personality Sam’s Life has taken to Facebook to acknowledge the death of his friend: “Rest easy Johnny Danger, lost for words.”
Max Key also acknowledged Bennett’s passing, sharing several photos of the pair together, as well as one with Key’s father, former Prime Minister Sir John Key.
“Some absolutely shattering news today,” Max Key wrote.
“You taught me how important it is to not take yourself too seriously and to live life to the fullest! Was so epic causing mischief with you and I hope you swig hard up there. RIP my friend.”
Senior Sergeant Brett Henshaw said the motorcyclist left the road while travelling northbound on the Dairy Flat Highway, crashing at the intersection of the highway and Hobson Rd.
“Associates assisted initially and then emergency services including ambulance, fire and police attempted to revive [Bennett] but were unsuccessful,” the officer said.
Henshaw said the matter had been referred to the coroner.
Bennett, of Whangaparaoa, has a huge online following, with more than 200,000 followers on social media site Instagram and a quarter of a million on Facebook.
Footage he posted on Tuesday night showed photos and video of his motorbike, acknowledging he was preparing for a ride yesterday.
Video posted online yesterday showed him getting ready to take part in an Anzac Day motorbike ride with several others.
In one clip, the group is outside a petrol station on Quay St, in downtown Auckland, preparing to head off.
Bennett can be seen picking up his helmet and fastening it before hopping on to his bike.
Last November, Bennett posted a photo of his new motorcycle licence — clearly excited to get it.
He told fans: “My new licence photo, finally got my full bike licence! I didn’t know I was getting a new pic so I had no time to think up something, this will do for now. Time to get a Harley now.”
The amateur stuntman and comedian is hugely popular with Kiwis and also has an international following; with his videos attracting comments from fans around the world.
In 2015, he was found guilty of causing a criminal nuisance after video footage surfaced of him “surfing” on a taxi as it went over the Auckland Harbour Bridge in 2013.
The video — which went viral on social media and featured on international news sites — shows a man climbing out of the vehicle’s passenger window and precariously clinging to the Reliable Cabs sign on the roof.
The Foodstuffs supermarket chain pulled his “Dangers Beer” from the shelves after a backlash online.