Motorcyclist hits goat

A motorcyclist is in the Hawkes Bay Regional Hospital after colliding with a goat.

The man, in his 40s, was riding on a rural road near Raukawa, south of Hastings, when the wild goat ran out in front of him, Lowe Corporation rescue helicopter spokesman Brent Williams said.

"He couldn't avoid it and hit it, then slid along the road for quite a way."

A team of builders working on a nearby house heard the bike sliding and helped the rider until the helicopter arrived.

He suffered moderate to serious injuries to his shoulder and chest.

The goat was put down at the scene.