Unicyclist dies after crash with a truck in Onehunga

Family members of a unicyclist who died after being hit by a truck in Onehunga this morning are being told of his death, police say.

The Serious Crash Unit is investigating after the man on a unicycle and a truck collided this morning.

The two vehicles were travelling in the same direction when the crash happened, a police spokeswoman said.

"The man on the unicycle died at the scene."

The crash closed a main road and two motorway exits for more than three hours.

Police were called to Onehunga Mall about 9.30am.

Emergency services attend the scene of a fatal accident where a man riding a unicycle was hit by a truck in Onehunga. Photo / Nick Reed

The road as well as the Southwestern Motorway offramps at Neilson St and Onehunga Harbour Rd were closed. They reopened about 1pm.

A police spokeswoman said traffic in the area had been crawling.

Vehicles wanting to access the port had to use the Neilson St motorway excess and all other traffic had to use the Queenstown Rd off-ramp, the NZ Transport Agency said.

South Western Mwy: #Crash on Onehunga Mall, Neilson St Offramp northbound is now CLOSED. Avoid area or delay your trip ^LB pic.twitter.com/XAIGKnaK7W

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) August 11, 2017

A witness posted on the Mangere Bridge Community Noticeboard shortly after the crash, saying: "Yeah I was there shortly after it happened.

"A unicyclist went under a truck heading south towards the harbour. A dad and his son were the car behind the truck. Very, very sad way to start a Saturday morning."

- More to come