Man dies following motorbike accident

Photo / file

A man has died after his motorbike and a ute collided in Waikato yesterday afternoon.

The 31-year-old Auckland man died in hospital from injuries sustained in the crash, which took place at the intersection of Kopuku Road and Symes Road in Maramarua at about 3.50pm.

Emergency services were called to the scene when a Kawasaki roadbike and a Toyota Hilux ute collided as the ute was turning into Symes Road.

The ute was travelling south and the motorbike travelling north at the time, police said.

The motorcyclist was transported to Auckland Hospital by air ambulance, but later died of his injuries. The driver of the ute was not injured, police said.

It brings the 2014 death toll on Waikato roads to three, Senior Sergeant Gael Mockford said, adding that the large number of serious and fatal crashes in the area was "very concerning".

"This crash is the seventh fatal or serious injury related crash attended by members of the Waikato Serious Crash Unit this week," she said.

"Every serious crash in the Waikato this week has occurred on rural roads. Police are concerned that drivers are becoming too complacent and not identifying the risks associated with driving in rural areas."

She urged drivers to be "vigilant behind the wheel".