E-bike rider critically injured after ‘scary’ Napier crash

The site of the crash on a hill near the Botanical Gardens. It is understood the crash happened at the bottom of the side road (to the right). Photo / NZME

A cyclist is in a critical condition in hospital after coming off her e-bike in Napier.

The crash happened on Hospital Hill about 8.30pm on Wednesday near the intersection of Simla Terrace and Spencer Rd, close to the Botanical Gardens.

A woman, aged in her 60s, was treated by paramedics and taken to Hawke’s Bay Hospital by ambulance following the crash.

She has since been transferred to Wellington Regional Hospital and was in a critical condition as of noon on Thursday.

A resident near the scene, who did not want to be named, said he heard the crash and went down to see what had happened.

He said a woman wearing a helmet and gloves appeared to have come off her e-bike and was bleeding and lying motionless.

A man was with her who rang an ambulance, which was on the scene within about five minutes.

“It was not a nice sight. It is scary ... to see someone in such bad shape [due to] a bike crash.”

He said it did not appear a car was involved.

Quite a few residents came outside to see if they could help, but most returned inside to give the paramedics space and show respect, he said.

Police also attended the crash and confirmed one person had come off an e-bike in the incident.