Tourism boss comforts bystanders at scene of cyclist death

A female cyclist has been killed in a crash involving a truck at the Sulphur Point on ramp to the Tauranga Harbour Bridge.

UPDATE: The cyclist killed after being hit by a truck in Tauranga around midday was a cruise ship passenger.

Police have confirmed the 71-year-old woman was an American visiting New Zealand on a cruise ship.

The Commercial Vehicle Investigation Unit and Serious Crash Unit were still investigating the accident.

3.41pm: The section of road where a cyclist was killed today has been re-opened.

The New Zealand Transport Agency have just announced the road which had been closed for most of the afternoon was now open again to all east bound traffic wanting to access the Tauranga Harbour Bridge at the Sulphur Point on ramp.

1.53pm: The head of Tauranga police and Tourism Bay of Plenty are at the scene where a cyclist has been killed today.

Area commander Inspector Clifford Paxton and Tourism Bay of Plenty chief executive Kristin Dunne are at the Mount Maunganui bound on ramp of Tauranga Harbour Bridge after a cyclist was hit by a truck about 12.25pm.

Ms Dunne has been comforting people visibly distraught at the death. A man wearing a tour operator jacket, with a clipboard, is also at the scene.

Police Senior Sergeant Glenn Saunders confirmed a female cyclist was killed after being hit by a truck.

The area remains blocked off to east bound traffic.

A reporter at the scene said there were many cyclists arriving but unable to get onto the bridge from the cycleway.

Police are advising cyclists to use the Matapihi Causeway Bridge cycleway until the scene can be cleared.

Traffic is blocked off from entering the Tauranga Habour Bridge from Sulphur Point after a cyclist was killed in a crash at the give way junction on the left. Photo/George Novak

12:52: A cyclist has been killed after being hit by a truck near Tauranga Harbour Bridge.

The area of Dive Cres at the on and off ramps to the bridge has been closed to traffic as police and emergency services respond.

The call to emergency services came in about 12.25pm and diversions are in place.

Tauranga police Senior Sergeant Glenn Saunders confirmed a female cyclist had been killed after being hit by a truck.

A reporter at the scene said about five police cars were at the crash. The on-ramp was closed and police were directing traffic towards Sulphur Point.

Earlier: A central Tauranga road near the Harbour Bridge has been shut down after a serious crash involving a cyclist.

Police and emergency services are responding to reports of a cyclist involved in a possible fatal crash at the Dive Cres, Marsh St intersection with the bridge's on and off ramps.

Head of Western Bay of Plenty road policing Senior Sergeant Ian Campion said early reports to police said the incident could be a fatal crash but police were still responding.

''Diversions will be in place,'' he said.

More soon.