Truck believed to have collided with cyclist on SH1 north of Whangarei

Police investigate a fatal accident north of Whangarei this morning.

Police are investigating after a truck driver is believed to have collided with a cyclist on State Highway One north of Whangarei this morning.

Police were called to SH1 near the intersection with Ruapekapeka Rd, about 40km north-west of Whangarei, after a truck driver reported he may have hit something while driving.

Inspector Wayne Ewers said the south-bound truckie felt he may have hit something about 6.45am this morning and after stopping further down the road to check his vehicle discovered damage to the front of his truck.

Ewers said the truck driver contacted police to say he believed he may have hit something.

The truckie discovered the body of a young male in a drain beside the south-bound lane, just south of the Gasoline Alley service station, about 9.30am.

Ewers said an initial survey of the scene indicates that the young man may have been riding a bicycle southbound on SH1.

The Police Serious Crash Unit was surveying the scene while the Police Commercial Vehicle Investigation Unit was examining the truck.

Both lanes of SH1 were open but traffic would be slowed through the scene while investigations continued.

A Northern Advocate reporter at the scene said kaumatua had arrived to bless the scene.