Motorcyclist dies after collision with truck on Hawke's Bay Expressway

One person has died in a motorcycle crash on the Hawke's Bay Expressway, Napier, on Friday morning. Photo / Paul Taylor

One person has died after a motorcycle collided with a truck on the Hawke's Bay Expressway, Napier – the 16th death on Hawke's Bay roads this year.

Emergency services were called to the two-vehicle crash between Watchman Rd and Main North Rd about 7.32am on Friday.

A police spokeswoman confirmed one person had died after a motorcycle collided with a truck.

Police were unable on Friday to confirm the directions the respective motorcycle and truck were travelling in at the time of the crash.

Sixteen people have died on Hawke's Bay roads in 2020 – the joint highest death toll in the previous five years.

Of the 16 fatalities, nine have occurred on state highways, four on open roads and three on urban roads.

Friday's fatal accident was the second motorcyclist to die on Hawke's Bay roads this year.

Eight drivers have died, as well as four passengers and two pedestrians.

Part of Hawke's Bay Expressway was closed for up to seven hours as police scene investigators tried to establish a cause, before Napier City Council contractors resurfaced the road.

Motorists wanting to travel north of Napier were recommended to take Poraiti Rd and then Glengarry Rd, and traffic was diverted through the airport.

The Watchman Rd and Meeanee Quay roundabout was also closed for northbound traffic.