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A dirt bike rider critically injured in South Auckland over King’s Birthday weekend has died in hospital, police have confirmed.
Emergency services were called to the scene of the crash in Clover Park on June 4 after two vehicles, a car and a dirt bike collided with one another.
Thecrash at the intersection of Te Irirangi Dr and Hollyford Dr left the motorcyclist in critical condition at the time. Photos from the scene showed a dirt bike lying abandoned.
Cone markers were scattered across the road as the Serious Crash Unit investigated the incident. A silver sedan showed a sign of the bike’s impact.
Police today said the bike’s rider had since died.
Police at the scene of the accident at the intersection of Te Irirangi Drive and Hollyford Drive in Botany. One person was taken to hospital in a critical condition after the crash and has since died. Photo / Hayden Woodward
“We extend our condolences to their family at this difficult time,” police said in a statement.
The crash was, according to police, an example of “reckless motorbike activity” as officers carried out a sting operation to stamp out dangerous dirt bike behaviour over the long weekend.
Police announced they would be cracking down on illegal dirt bike riding on the Friday prior to the crash, launching Operation Metallic Red which was deployed across the Manukau district.
Cone markers were scattered across the road as the Serious Crash Unit investigated the incident. Photo / Hayden Woodward
The operation targeted dangerous and nuisance driving and the riding of dirt bikes.
Multiple riders were arrested and dirt bikes were seized on Sunday and Monday out of the estimated 40 to 50 bikes spotted during the ride.
Police had become aware of the riders doing “burnouts and driving dangerously” at the Manukau Memorial Gardens, officers arrived when two of the bikes crashed with neither rider wearing any safety equipment as they came off their bikes.
Both riders received moderate injuries and had their bikes impounded, with charges being considered.
Multiple riders were arrested and dirt bikes were seized. Photo / Dean Purcell
The group had been tracked by the Police helicopter, a witness told the Herald that scores of both police and members of the Killer Beez gang could be seen.
As cordons were being set up around the park, another man was arrested and his bike was seized.
A car was also seized in connection with a recent King Cobra bike run soon after when it was spotted leaving the park.
Dirt bike riding had become a historical issue for south Auckland, April this year saw a horde of illegal dirt bikers set upon a police car and attacked an innocent motorist during an Anzac Day joyride in Otara.
The group of riders used their helmets and road signs to smash the windscreen and rear window, slashed tyres and badly beat a woman.
