Grandfather killed in motorbike crash

A 52-year-old grandfather killed in a motorbike crash near Wanganui on Friday had only just recovered from an accident.

Stephen Gledhill was riding home from work at 4.20pm on Friday when he collided with a ute near Okoia.

He was rushed to Wanganui Hospital but died before family could reach his bedside.

His partner Judi Weston said the family were still in shock.

"This was just an extremely horrible, horrible thing to happen."

She said Stephen was an experienced rider.

Two months ago he broke an ankle and dislocated a shoulder after being knocked off his bike while going around a roundabout at low speed.

Stephen was a manager at Wanganui's recycling centre, and leaves two adult daughters and two grandchildren, aged 9 and 10 months.

Weston said he was a gentle man who loved music.

Police urge witnesses of the incident to phone (06) 349-0600.