Biker injured in Rimutaka Hill scrape

OUCH: A motorcyclist, talking on his cellphone, is helped into a stretcher by Wellington Free Ambulance staff and Featherston Volunteer fire crew, after his bike and a car touched sides on a passing lane on the Rimutaka Hill Rd.PHOTO/ANDREW BONALLACK

A motorcyclist was taken to hospital with minor injuries after coming into contact with a car on a passing lane on the Rimutaka Hill Rd before 5pm on Sunday.

The cyclist and driver were heading towards Wellington, with the motorbike on the inside lane and the car in the outside passing lane.

The car's passenger door and the motorbike's handle touched briefly, causing the cyclist to career into a ditch, 500m north of the Abbotts Creek bridge.

The car's driver, Matt Hoffman, stopped immediately and rendered assistance with other motorists until paramedics and the Featherston Volunteer Fire Brigade arrived.

The man, holding his ribs and talking on a cellphone, was able to stand with help, before being taken in stretcher to the ambulance.

Mr Hoffman, Wellington, who was driving a 2014 Porsche station wagon, was returning from a car roadshow. He said he was shaken by the incident.

"He hit the door, I heard the sound, then after a second I saw him on the ground."

He did not think they were going fast.

His car was scratched, while the bike was badly damaged. Police advised Mr Hoffman the biker was uninsured.