Motorcyclist dies in Hauraki Plains truck crash

Photo / File photo

A motorcyclist has died after colliding with a truck on a rural Hauraki Plains road this morning.

Waikato district road policing manager, Inspector Marcus Lynam, said the crash is being investigated by the Waikato Serious Crash Unit who are working to establish the cause of the crash and the identity of the motorcycle rider.

"The crash investigation is still in its formative phase however initial indications suggest the crash, which happened on Swamp Rd, the route linking Paeroa to Tahuna, involved the westbound motorcycle colliding with a turning truck about 6.20am," Mr Lynam said.

"The scene of the crash is about 300m from a bridge near the intersection with SH26. Driving conditions at the time were described as good but with low fog or mist and the sun had yet to rise at the time the collision occurred."

Mr Lynam advised motorists travelling between Paeroa and Tahuna this morning to consider alternative routes as the preliminary crash investigation would take some time.

"In driving conditions such as this morning's it is imperative motorists maintain a high degree of situational awareness and make the appropriate decisions that match the conditions and environment," he said.

"This latest death brings the Waikato road toll to four fatalities from four crashes and the saddest thing about each of these deaths is that each was an avoidable tragedy."

Meanwhile, one person is dead after a crash in Christchurch early this morning.

Police were called to the scene of the single-car crash on Dyers Rd shortly after midnight.

A police spokesman said one person was killed.

Further information was not available.