Killed bike rider unlicensed

Police have named the motorcyclist killed in a fatal crash near Hastings on Monday

The motorcyclist killed in a fatal crash near Hastings on Monday did not have a motorcycle licence, investigators say.

Police yesterday confirmed the deceased rider as Peter Randall Papa, 30, of Pahiatua.

The crash scene was in a location locally referred to as Clarkson's Hill, Maraekakaho which is on State Highway 50 approximately 5km south of Salisbury Road, 35km south west of Hastings.

Initial investigations revealed Mr Papa lost control of his red 750cc Ducati motorcycle at about 2.10pm as he exited a moderate left hand bend, slid across the road and collided with an oncoming van.

The van's occupants were travelling to Wellington and were shocked but not injured as a result of the crash. There were five adult occupants and a toddler in the van at the time of the crash.

The Police Serious Crash Unit is investigating the cause of the crash, and are seeking any witnesses to the crash or anyone who may have seen the motorcycle on SH50 prior to the crash.

At the time of the crash the weather was fine and the road conditions good.

Senior Sergeant Greg Brown, Officer in Charge of Road Policing, said the crash was a reminder to everyone to drive at an appropriate speed for the conditions.

"This is a tragic reminder of how a lapse in judgement can have the worst consequences," Mr Brown said.

Victim Support would be arranged for the occupants of the van in addition to the whanau of Mr Papa.

Meanwhile, a motorcyclist who crashed into a fence at Clifton at the weekend remains in a serious condition. The man, also in his 30s, was reportedly riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle when he clipped a gatepost on Saturday. It's understood he was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.