Teacher and writer Mike Leach dies in Hamilton cycling accident

The scene at the corner of Te Rapa Rd and Sunshine Ave in Hamilton after retired teacher Mike Leach was hit by a truck. Photo / Belinda Feek

A retired Hamilton teacher and writer has died after his bike was hit by a truck.

Graeme Michael (Mike) Leach, who was 67, taught geography and social studies at Fairfield College for 34 years until he retired 10 years ago.

He died yesterday when he was hit by a truck-and-trailer unit at the intersection of Te Rapa Rd and Sunshine Ave at about 11.30am. The truck was turning left and did not see him cycling straight ahead in the left lane.

His wife Ann Leach, who was also a teacher at Fairfield College, said they both "always had a love of teaching".

"He was dean of a house. He was involved in their outdoor education programme. He was involved in building sets for their productions. He was involved in just about everything really," she said.

He was "a prolific writer", writing numerous letters to the editor of the Waikato Times and editing articles on Wikipedia about subjects such as the Auckland suburb of Bucklands Beach, where he grew up.

He had been working with his mother, until she died earlier this year, on a documentary project about World War I.

"His other passion was around woodwork," Ann said. "He built canoes and dinghies. He loved to potter, making tables and things. Lots of things around the home were built by him."

He was a keen cyclist, motorcyclist and sailor.

"He did bike a lot, on his bike or on his motorbike, or he'd be out biking or walking. He liked to keep fit," Ann said.

He is survived by Ann and their children Matthew, 26, and Kate, 24.