Motorcyclist dead after fatal crash in Glenbervie, Whangārei

A fatal crash occurred this morning in the Whangārei suburb of Glenvervie. Photo / NZME

Passers-by tried to resuscitate a motorcyclist killed in a crash at an intersection on the outskirts of Whangārei today.

The 54-year-old man died after his motorbike and a car collided at the intersection of Ngunguru and Sands Rds in Glenbervie shortly after 9am.

Serious crash investigator Warren Bunn said the car was turning right from Sands Rd when a motorcycle travelling to Whangārei from Ngunguru hit the side of the vehicle and was sent flying.

Bunn said the driver of the car was not hurt but was in shock.

“We have had several crashes on the Ngunguru road, a rural roadway that can be quite unforgiving as was evident in this case. But it all comes down to drivers following the basic road rules around intersections.”

The investigator said like most crashes, this too was a case of “driver error”.

Bunn said a witness may have seen a vehicle follow the biker before the crash and asked that person to come forward and tell police what they saw.

A Whangārei Fire Station spokesperson said they were told several people had tried to help the motorcyclist.

The road reopened shortly before midday.

The serious crash unit is continuing. iPeople who know anything about the crash or saw it can contact police on 105.

Today’s fatality takes Northland’s road toll to 27.

Bunn said fatal crashes happen either because of “bad driving” or are “self-inflicted”, where the driver was under the influence of drugs, alcohol or was speeding.

“People sometimes may even feel tired behind the wheel or haven’t updated themselves to current driving standards. Nevertheless, all these have tragic consequences.”

Avneesh Vincent is the crime and emergency services reporter at the Advocate. He was previously at the Gisborne Herald as the arts and environment reporter and is passionate about covering stories that can make a difference. He joined NZME in July 2023.