Police are still investigating the motorcycle crash that claimed the life of a 46-year-old Hawke's Bay woman.
The woman's bike collided with an oncoming car near the Waitangi Bridge over the Tutaekuri River on SH2 just south of Awatoto.
Police said the woman died at the scene and her death took the road toll in the Eastern Police District, which takes in Hawke's Bay, Gisborne and East Cape, to 10.
"There was nothing people at the scene could have done for her - she suffered significant injuries," Senior Sergeant Greg Brown said.
Although police had established the victim's identity her name was unlikely to be officially released until today as they were still working to get in touch with some members of her family.
The crash happened just before 7am yesterday. It was understood the woman, had been on her way to work from her home near Hastings.
Mr Brown said the driver of a north-bound car had slowed and stopped on the highway, put his indicators on and was about to turn right into the entranceway to the Waitangi Reserve.
The motorcyclist came up behind the car and then veered to the wrong side of the road apparently in an attempt to overtake it.
A car heading toward Hastings was in its southbound lane and the motorcyclist lost control as she tried to avoid it.
The woman driver of the car tried to take evasive action, but the two vehicles collided.
While not physically hurt in the crash Mr Brown said the woman needed to be taken to Hawke's Bay Hospital as she was "very highly traumatised" by what had happened.
The driver of the turning car was also distraught and both would be interviewed for the Serious Crash Unit investigation "when they are ready and the time is right".
Mr Brown said while police were at the scene a couple of motorists approached and said they had seen the yellow motorcycle heading towards Napier.
"As part of the investigation we need to ascertain the movements of the motorcyclist leading up to the crash," he said.
"There would have been a number of cars on the highway at this time, so any information about the motorbike would be helpful to us."
Mr Brown said it was too early to make any comment about the position of the car set to turn into the reserve, although he said initial indications showed the driver appeared to have the room for it.
"That will be part of the investigation and we will be working in with the coroner."
The crash caused major disruption and long delays to morning traffic on SH2 and other arterial routes between Napier and Hastings as the scene had to be carefully mapped.
"It is important to correctly establish the cause," Mr Brown said, adding that motorists, when told there had been a fatality, quietly and willingly took the long detours.
It was the second motorbike crash fatality in the Napier area in 10 days. A machine police described as a highly modified trike crashed in the Onekawa industrial district on June 20, resulting in the death of rider Ian "Stork" Worsfold, of Napier.
Yesterday's death brought the national road toll to 148, compared to 123 at the same time last year.