One dead, one critical after two serious motorcycle crashes in Hawke's Bay in 24 hours

A person has died following a crash on SH38 in Tuai, north of Wairoa, on Tuesday. Photo / File

One person has died and another is fighting for his life after two motorcyclists crashed on Hawke's Bay roads in 24 hours.

Emergency services were called to a serious motorcycle crash on State Highway 38 in Tuai, north of Wairoa, about 11.10am on Tuesday.

Police said on Tuesday afternoon one person had died after the single-motorcycle crash.

The Serious Crash Unit and two ambulances attended the scene and police inquiries into the circumstances of the crash were ongoing.

Another motorcyclist, a man in his 30s, is in a critical condition after coming off his bike on State Highway 50, near Tikokino, on Monday night.

Emergency services responded to the serious crash on SH50, near Glencoe Station Rd, about 8.10pm on Monday.

The man was flown by rescue helicopter in a critical condition to Hawke's Bay Hospital before being transferred to Wellington Hospital for further treatment.

One fire truck from Hastings and one rural fire truck from Maraekakaho were called to the scene.

The road was closed with traffic management in place, but was reopened at 12.25am.

Police inquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

A police spokeswoman said they urged motorcyclists to stay safe on the roads.

"Monitor your speed, drive to the conditions, and wear a good helmet," she said.

"The helmet is compulsory for a reason - it is the most important piece of safety equipment for anyone getting on a motorbike.

"Check that your helmet is the right size - it should fit snugly on your head with minimum use of pads. If your helmet gets damaged, replace it with a new one."