Motorcylist falls at 100km/h, bounces

A Timaru man is lucky to be alive after sliding off the back of a motorbike at 100km/h and bouncing along the road.

The 42-year-old pillion passenger is recovering in Christchurch Hospital after falling off the bike on a sweeping bend north of Orari, 9km south-east of Geraldine, about 5pm on Saturday, the Timaru Herald reported.

Geraldine police senior constable Mike Stephens said the man suffered a badly broken arm and leg injuries.

"A witness who was following said he sort of just slipped off. It's as if he's just fallen asleep for no apparent reason," he said.

A spokeswoman for Christchurch Hospital said the man was in a "fairly comfortable" condition.

- NZPA