AN 18-year-old Te Puke farm manager is dead after the motocross bike he was riding collided head-on with a mini pit-bike about 9.15 last night.
The 17-year-old rider of the pit-bike - also from Te Puke - was taken to Tauranga Hospital with serious leg injuries.
Senior Sergeant Ian Campion said the bikes - which are not permitted or designed for road use - were travelling in opposite directions on Collins Lane, an access road to packhouses and a small number of rural properties. The two teens were riding in the dark and neither of the bikes was fitted with lights.
Police believe a group of young people had been riding the motorcycles up and down the road for some time prior to the crash. "These guys would have been known to each other," he said.
Police are yet to release the name of the dead man.
Mr Campion said at this stage police believed alcohol may have been involved but were yet to confirm this. He was unsure what speed the two motorcycles were travelling.
Mr Campion said neither of the bikes complied with warrant of fitness standards or had suitable road tyres.
"It's a tragedy but there's a message out there for all those kids who ride these bikes on the road - don't," said Mr Campion.
Police are appealing to anyone who witnessed the crash or saw the group in the area around this time to contact Greerton police on 578-3460.
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