KEY POINTS:
Police may consider charging the driver of a vehicle which spilled oil on the Napier-Taupo Rd, causing the death of motorcyclist Jeremy Crate.
The 45-year-old's BMW motorbike slid out of control on the spill at Rangitaiki, about 35km east of Taupo, on Sunday night.
Police were yesterday still
trying to find the motorist.
Senior Sergeant Dave Frazer said a four-litre container of oil fell from a vehicle after 8pm.
Its driver could be charged with having an insecure load.
"It's a matter of finding out who spilled it, where it came from, what the story was," Mr Frazer said. "The person that dropped it may not even be aware of it. Until we find that person and make some inquiries, who knows?
"They could face court action but until you find out what the circumstances are it's hard to say."
Mr Crate was returning to Napier from the annual Battle of the Streets motorbike event in Paeroa with three mates on motorcycles when they crashed on a moderate right-hand bend shortly before 9pm.
One of the other riders is in Rotorua Hospital with serious internal injuries.
Last night Mr Crate's family told the Herald how the biking fanatic had not had a bad bone in his body.
Grant Ashton, brother of Mr Crate's partner Julie, described him as "magic".
"His three-wheeler is sitting outside," Mr Ashton said. "It's a bit sad looking at it actually."
Born in England, Mr Crate came to New Zealand about 20 years ago. He met Julie, also a keen rider, in Britain.
Mr Crate had built several bikes including a 1965 Formula One replica and was known in motorbike racing circles around New Zealand and England.
He ran his own panelbeating business in Napier before travelling overseas, but started working as a mechanic on his return.
Long-time friend Craig Guy said everyone knew Mr Crate as "Kanga".
It had been his call sign name when he was a motorcycle courier driver in England.
"He was an incredibly experienced rider that got caught out by someone's carelessness. It's just gut-wrenching. Kanga's one of the good guys. It's just not right."
Another friend, Wayne Moult, saw Mr Crate at the Paeroa event. He said it was just fate he was not riding with the group back to Napier.
"He was deep in conversation so I didn't get to talk to him. I thought they were staying until Monday. If I'd known they were coming back that day, I would have ridden with them."