One death, one serious head injury in two separate Whangārei road incidents

Emergency services personnel and a kaumatua who said prayers at the scene on Wharerora Rd where a person died.

A person is dead after falling from a small pick-up truck on Whareora Rd, on Whangarei's outskirts.

Police could give few details about the incident, other than to say the person died instantly.

Police were called to the scene near the corner of Abbey Caves Rd just before 4pm on Thursday.

A kaumatua was called to bless the scene.

The incident happened on a flat, straight stretch of road.

There were several witnesses to the incident, Senior Sergeant Steve Dickson said.

A lightweight van which had been parked on the side of the road was towed away at about 5.30pm. It is believed it was taken for a forensic examination.

The road was blocked between Clapham and Abbey Cave Rds for three hours while a scene examination was carried out by the Serious Crash Unit.

Police advised motorists needing to travel further east to use the Abbey Caves Rd, from where they could turn right on to Whareora Rd.

Earlier in the day, a man who was riding a motorcycle was taken to Whangārei Hospital with serious head injuries after a collision with another vehicle.

Emergency services were called to a central street in Whangārei after a serious crash involving a motorbike and vehicle. Photo/ John Stone

Emergency services were called to the crash on Central Ave near First Ave about 1.15pm.

Streets around the crash location were shut down as police examined the scene, collecting evidence that would help them piece together what had happened.

Due to the serious injuries suffered by the man the police Serious Crash Unit would investigate.

The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet, Dickson said.

Three occupants in the car received minor injuries.

Dickson said they would be offered help through Victim Support, as would family members of the injured man.

Both the motorcycle and the car were towed away to a secure location and would be subject to a forensic examination.

Central Ave was closed at the intersection of Maunu Rd and Water St and at Second Ave until they were reopened about 3.30pm.