Motorcyclist's body found in paddock

A man died from multiple injuries after his Harley Davison motorcycle crashed through a fence near Ngaruawahia, north of Hamilton overnight.

The man's body was cold when it was found by a farmer about 3am today and police believe he may have been dead for several hours.

Police said the motorcycle and the man's body could not be easily seen from the road and were found by the farmer who was preparing to transport stock.

The motorcycle was being ridden north when it slammed through a fence on State Highway 1 and hit a fence near the Hopuhopu overbridge.

A police spokeswoman said the man's identity had yet to be established and they were appealing for help from the public.

Police said they were also asking for help from motorists who may have seen the man and his machine on the road between 8.30pm yesterday and 3am today.

The police serious crash unit was at the scene trying to establish how the accident happened.

- NZPA