Speed a factor in bike crash

There have been four fatal motorcycle crashes in the Waikato region this year. One motorcyclist is dead, another critically injured, after two speed-related crashes on Waikato roads during the weekend.

A 45-year-old motorcyclist died on the Morrinsville-Walton Rd at 9.40am on Saturday when his Triumph collided with a 10-tonne tractor-trailer unit.

The second crash happened at 11am when a motorcyclist taking part in a charity run in Storey Rd, near Ohinewai, crashed into a fence.

The district road policing manager, Inspector Freda Grace, said the Waikato Serious Crash Unit was investigating the latest death.

‘‘What we can say is that speed appears to have been a factor in what occurred about 9.40am,’’ she said. ‘‘It appears the motorcycle has driven into the trailer as the 10-tonne tractor-trailer unit has turned right into a driveway.’’

Police are still trying to piece together how Saturday’s death, the fourth fatal motorcycle crash in the Waikato this year, happened as there were no witnesses.

‘‘Shortly before the crash the tractor and trailer unit was passed by two other vehicles and we would like to speak to those drivers in relation to the behaviour of the tractor driver and the motorcyclist.’’

Anyone who saw either vehicle is asked to contact Sergeant Dean Kaio of Matamata Piako Road Policing Unit at Morrinsville Police Station on 07 858 6200.

‘‘In the second crash the rider, who was part of a larger charity ride, appears to have misjudged a bend and crashed into a fence,’’ she said.

‘‘Given the debris at the scene, where three fence posts were knocked down, speed again appears to have been a factor.’’

Hamilton Motorcycle Club president Bruce Delaney said more motorcyclists were on the road during the summer and all road users needed to be more aware of who they were sharing the road with. In the second crash the rider, who was part of a larger charity ride, appears to have misjudged a bend and crashed into a fence Inspector Freda Grace District road policing manager

Mr Delaney encouraged bikers to take up safety courses available to them.

‘‘Our club have in the past run driver safety days for our club members, but there is nothing stopping those with bikes to do independent courses that are available.’’

Hamilton City Council, Waikato District Council and Waipa District Council will deliver a series of motorcycle safety courses throughout the Waikato region.

Roadsafe Rider are the providers for training to be held at Waikato University in Hamilton, in October and November this year.

The training is being delivered as part of the Ministry of Transport’s road safety strategy called Safer Journeys.

The cost of the training will be subsidised by the New Zealand Transport Agency and the three councils.