KEY POINTS:
An 11-year-old girl has died after a shocking accident that left three others dead.
The accident was a tragic end to a charity motorcycle drive which aimed to raise funds for under-privileged children.
A campervan collided with the group of motorcyclists just after midday on State Highway 79, between Geraldine and Fairlie, in South Canterbury.
Motorcyclist Gavin MacDonald, of Timaru, was killed at the scene and his 11-year-old daughter Olivia, who was riding pillion with him, later died in hospital.
A British man and woman, who had been living in Pleasant Point, 19km northwest of Timaru, for the past six months, also died. The woman had been riding pillion on her partner's bike.
The occupants of the campervan were unhurt.
The Christchurch Press said the cyclists were part of an annual toy rally organised by Timaru's Bikers' Rights Organisation of New Zealand (Bronz) club.
Cyclists make a 180km round trip from Timaru through Pleasant Point, Geraldine and Fairlie collecting gifts for poor children and delivering them to the Salvation Army in Timaru.
Mr MacDonald was a foreman at Fulton Hogan in Timaru.
The accident lifts the weekend road toll to six.
In New Plymouth, a 40-year-old man was killed after his car hit a power pole on Carrington Road, about 10.15pm yesterday.
Acting Sergeant Royston Betteridge said it appeared the man had lost control on a section of road that had recently been resealed.
While investigations into the crash were continuing, police believed the section had been adequately marked with warning signs and speed limit advisories.
Speed was possibly a factor in the accident.
Another person died and two were seriously injured after their Nissan saloon crashed on Brookfield Road in Pakowhai, 7km north of Hastings, about 9.30pm on Saturday.
- NZPA
