At about 12:45pm on Friday 8th January 2016, a truck and a motor cycle were involved in a crash approximately two kilometres north of the Awakino tunnel on State Highway 3.
As a result of the crash the motor cyclist has died.
The weather in the area has deteriorated with heavy rain and wind. The police remind motorists that they must drive to the conditions and at times like these slowing down and driving cautiously is the sensible option.
Currently State Highway 3 through that area is blocked and is likely to be so for some time. Motorists travelling this route are asked to be patient or to delay their travel until later today. Police on the scene are working to complete their scene examination and open the road up as quickly as possible. The Police are working to relieve traffic in the area and get one lane operating, but this could be sometime.
In the meantime motorists who urgently need to move and are travelling South on State Highway three towards New Plymouth could divert onto State Highway 4 through Taumarunui to Raetahi and then onto Wanganui. Motorists need to be aware that this could add five hours to their journey. Motorist travelling North could divert the opposite way. Police don’t recommend using State Highway 43 in this weather.
There are no further details regarding the crash at this time and a further press release will be made later this afternoon.
The Serious Crash Unit will be investigating the cause of the accident.
The motor cyclist’s name will not be released until family members have been notified.
Media enquiries should be referred to the Central District Command Center, 063512535.
END
Released by Insp. Ross Grantham, Central District Command Centre