Police have released the name of the motorcyclist who died at a motocross event in North Canterbury this morning.
He was Trent Haywood, aged 14, from Tauranga.
He died after crashing during the Michael Godfrey Memorial Motocross event, at Omihi near Waipara in North Canterbury.
Initial Police inquiries indicate that Trent was competing in a race shortly before 11am when he appeared to lose control of his motorcycle, for reasons as yet not identified. He crashed down a steep incline, suffering serious head injuries.
He was treated by ambulance staff attending the event, but died at the scene.
Trent’s father and friends were at the event.
Sergeant Rob Irvine, of Kaiapoi police, says the death is believed to be the first fatality in the event’s 35 year history.
Weather conditions were fine and the track was largely dry.
A Police serious crash investigation is under way, and health and safety investigators have also been at the scene today.
ENDS