Boy dies after being hit by milk tanker

A young boy has died after falling off a bike into the path of a milk tanker at Maungaturoto this morning.

Whangarei police spokeswoman Sarah Kennett said the child was cycling on the footpath on Gorge Rd, Maungaturoto, about 33km north west of Wellsford, and fell off the bike into the path of the milk tanker.

Police say initial indications were the child fell under the wheels of the truck's trailer.

Emergency staff raced to the scene near the intersection of Griffin Rd about 9.30am but despite their best efforts could not save the boy.

The boy was five-years-old.

The accident scene - just a few hundred metres from the Maungaturoto township - has been described as distressing for those attending.

Part of Gorge Rd has been closed off while the crash site is examined by the police serious crash unit.

Mrs Kennett said there were no other vehicles involved.

The tanker driver was uninjured but possibly traumatised by the accident, she said.

Mrs Kennett said emergency services were still at the scene.

Part of Gorge Rd was closed off and the police serious crash unit was investigating.