Head on motorcycle crash kills two

A head on collision between two motorbikes near Westport yesterday killed both riders, police said today.

A 33-year-old man and 34-year-old man were killed in the accident around 5.30pm, Senior Sergeant John Canning of Westport police said.

One of the men was from Hokitika and the other from Timaru. Their names were not released this morning, as next-of-kin had yet to be advised, Mr Canning said.

The crash closed State Highway 6 at the intersections with SH69, Inangahua Junction, and SH67, Lower Buller Gorge Rd, as police investigated the crash.

Reefton police said the open-road crash, involving two Harley Davidson motorbikes, occurred on a dry road and in good weather. One bike was heading away from Westport and the other heading towards the town.

Mr Canning said the men were killed instantly in the crash, which was thought to have occurred within the speed limit.

It was understood the rider heading to Westport had just overtaken another vehicle, and he may have been momentarily blinded by a low-setting sun.

Mr Canning said there was nothing to suggest the other rider had left his lane.

- NZPA