Police call for help with fatal SH1 crash

Police at the scene of a fatal bike crash near Kauri, north of Whangarei. PHOTO/ John Stone

Police are appealing to the public to help with a fatal motorbike crash early today.

A man, in his early 20s, died when he fell from his Husqvarna motorbike on State Highway 1 near Kauri, north of Whangarei.

Senior Constable Warren Bunn, also part of the serious crash investigation team, said it then appeared a motorbike rider on a Harley Davidson had struck the man while he was lying in the middle of the road shortly after 4am.

The Harley Davidson rider stopped a short distance away and rang for police help. Other motorists also stopped and parked with their hazard lights on. The state highway was blocked off and traffic diverted through Saleyards Rd and Vinegar Hill Rd until just after midday.

Police are unsure how long the man had been lying on the road or whether he had been struck by another vehicle causing him to fall from his bike.

Mr Bunn had been to the scene today and was appealing for help from the public.

"The rider of the trail bike has fallen off for some unknown reason," Mr Bunn said.

He wanted motorists who may have seen him riding prior to the fall or witnessed the crash to come forward.

Its believed two drivers of fully laden logging trucks heading south were seen to swerve to miss something on the road and police would like to speak with them.

The death brings Northland's road toll to five this year.

Anyone with information should contact Mr Bunn at Whangarei police station on 09 430 4500.