Cyclist dies in crash with turning car

An eastbound lane of busy Pakuranga Rd was closed last night while police did a scene examination. Photo / Natalie Slade

A cyclist was killed last night when he and a car collided on an East Auckland road - the latest in a series of serious cycling accidents.

The accident happened on Pakuranga Rd, near Gossamer Drive, about 7.15pm.

Police said a car appeared to have crossed two lanes of traffic to turn into a driveway, pulling in front of the cyclist as he travelled down the hill.

The 36-year-old cyclist, who died at the scene, is believed to have had severe chest and neck injuries.

Senior Sergeant Andrew Judson said police would not name him until his next of kin had been told of theaccident.

One witness, Peter Zhang, said he rushed outside after hearing a loud "boom", and saw the cyclist lying face down on the road.

He watched as passersby administered CPR, "but his face was white, and I saw no life there".

An eastbound lane of the road was closed while the police serious crash unit carried out a scene examination.

The death is the latest in a series of serious accidents involving cyclists.

On October 14, Mairangi Bay GP Graham Robinson was killed while training for a charity bike ride.

Dr Robinson, a 62-year-old father of five and grandfather of seven, was riding south on Peak Rd, a rural but well-used route near Helensville, when he was struck by a white Toyota Hilux.

The driver has yet to be found.

In September, 20-year-old student Jennifer Speakman was driving into Auckland City for an exam when she ran into a group of four cyclists while turning from Cliff Rd on to Tamaki Drive.

The crash left cyclist Greg Paterson with skull fractures, brain injuries and paralysis to the left side of his body.

He spent months in a head injury rehabilitation centre.

The three other cyclists had broken bones and serious cuts and bruising.

In December, Speakman pleaded guilty to four charges of careless driving causing injury - one for each cyclist.

In February, she was disqualified from driving for six months and ordered to pay $4000 in reparation - $1000 to each of the four cyclists.

After the accident, the Auckland City Council committed $450,000 towards improving safety on Tamaki Drive.