A 14-year-old boy died during a motocross event in Canterbury today when he crashed on a steep incline and suffered head injuries.
Trent Haywood, from Tauranga, was competing at the Michael Godfrey Memorial Motocross event, at Omihi near Waipara in North Canterbury.
Initial inquiries indicated that Trent was competing in a race shortly before 11am when he appeared to lose control of his motorcycle, police said.
He crashed down a steep incline, suffering serious head injuries.
He was treated by ambulance staff but died at the scene.Trent's father and friends were at the event.
Sergeant Rob Irvine of Kaiapoi police said Trent's death was believed to be the first in the event's 35-year history.
The weather was fine and the track was largely dry.
Police and health and safety investigators are investigating.