Motorcyclist killed on State Highway 5

A 45-year-old man was killed when his BMW motorcycle slid out of control on State Highway 5 last night.

The incident happened on a moderate right hand bend at Rangitaiki, approximately 35 kilometres east of Taupo, at 8.54pm.

An investigation of the scene revealed a large amount of oil on the road surface.

It appears that a four litre container of oil had fallen from a vehicle sometime after 8pm.

A second motorcyclist was airlifted to Rotorua Hospital with serious internal injuries.

Two other motorcyclists in the group of four also lost control of their motor cycles and slid out on the oil but were not injured.

Police said the road surface was dry at the time of the crash, and the weather was fine.

Investigations into the cause of the crash are continuing.

Police would like to speak to anyone who saw the vehicle which lost the oil.

- NZPA