A resident along Pioneer Highway who lives across the road from where the crash happened said emergency services were congregated on a walking and cycle track separated from the actual highway.
"It was outside the house on the other side of the road on the bike track, walking track, whatever it is," the Palmerston North resident said.
"I didn't see it happen. From what I can see it's on that track, not actually on the road, not the highway.
"It's a shared pathway that goes out to Longburn, it's set back from the road, about 10 metres of so and it's a walking path that you can bike along.
"I can see them loading a bike up on a truck now. Just a whole bunch of lights, cops, ambulances."
Police confirmed to the Herald that the accident did occur along this walking and cycle track separate to Pioneer Highway.
"Police are still conducting enquiries to establish the circumstances so we are unable to confirm any details for now," police said in a statement.
Pioneer Highway was closed with diversions in place, but reopened by 10pm.