One dead after motorcycle and truck collide in Bridge Pa, teenage pillion passenger hurt

Diversions were put in place in Bridge Pa after a serious crash between a truck and a motorcycle. Photo / Warren Buckland.

A 16-year-old male has died following a crash in Bridge Pa, Hastings, between a truck and a motorcycle.

Emergency services attended the scene of the crash which happened on Stock Rd, near the intersection with Irongate Rd West, around 8.30am.

A police spokesperson said the 16-year-old motorcycle rider was pronounced dead at the scene and a teenage boy, the pillion passenger on the motorbike, was yesterday in a stable condition at Hawke's Bay Hospital.

A police officer at the scene said a motorbike was travelling on the wrong side of Stock Rd, on a limestone cycle pathway, heading north towards Flaxmere when a truck pulled out of a driveway.

Investigations into the crash were ongoing and the Serious Crash Unit and Commercial Vehicle Safety Team had been advised, they said.

Local diversions were in place throughout the morning but were cleared by 2pm.

The death is the second on Hawke's Bay roads this year.

On the morning of January 10 Hastings man Ted Tamai left his home for a bike ride and collided with a car at the intersection of Omahu Rd and State Highway 50A.

The 72-year-old died shortly after emergency services arrived at the scene.
Last year the Hawke's Bay road toll was the highest it had been since 2012, with 24 people killed on roads between Wairoa and Tararua.

Road Safe Hawke's Bay regional manager Linda Anderson said yesterday's death was "absolutely tragic loss of life".

"When you think of the roll-on effect it has on people; family, friends and workmates. It just can't help but have an impact on this community. Unfortunately we do have a significant number of fatal and serious crashes."

The fatality was a timely reminder that road safety was everybody's responsibility, she said. "One of our key messages is road safety is everybody's responsibility. We have to be responsible for our safety and by doing that you increase the safety of everyone you're sharing the road with.

"It's about reminding people about safety. Decisions can certainly lead to serious consequences. We are working tirelessly and every single one that happens certainly does have an effect."