Inquiry into fatal crash continues

Police are struggling to find answers to establish the cause of a motorcycle crash which killed 65-year-old Tauranga rider Raymond Allen Valere Morreel.

Head of Waikato Highway Patrol, Senior Sergeant Steve Ambler, said police crash investigators were working to piece together the circumstances behind the district's 14th motorcycle death of the year.

Mr Ambler said the preliminary crash investigation had raised more questions than answers why Mr Morreel left the road.

The crash happened on State Highway 28, Rapurapu Rd, in Te Poi about 1.48pm on Monday in ideal driving and riding conditions, he said.

Mr Morreel had been riding his Suzuki motorbike as part of a group heading west towards Rotorua when the group was rounding a left-hand bend, Mr Ambler said.

"For an as yet unknown reason, Mr Morreel's motorcycle left the road and crashed through a farm fence," he said

Mr Ambler said attempts to revive Mr Morreel at the scene proved unsuccessful and a post-mortem was scheduled to be conducted yesterday.

"On behalf of New Zealand Police I would like to extend our sympathies to Mr Morreel's friends and family, some of whom were at the scene of the crash."

Mr Morreel, who reared calves on a lifestyle block he and his wife Anne owned in Omanawa Rd for over 20 years, had lived in Tauranga more than 40 years. The couple have two adult sons, Mark and Brent, and seven grandchildren.

Brent Morrell, who lives in Pyes Pa, said the family were too upset to talk but a funeral would be held at Pyes Pa crematorium at 10am on Saturday.

Omanawa Rd residents Robyn and Robert Broxholme say they had known Mr Morreel and his wife for at least 21 years.

"Ray was a really good neighbour and a great guy. He was always willing to lend a hand to anyone who needed help."