Riders die in two accidents

Two male motorcyclists were killed in separate crashes with cars in Waikato yesterday.

The first was at one-way Bailey Bridge, on State Highway 25, south of the Coromandel township of Tairua, at 11.30am.

Inspector Lance Burdett of Police Northern Communications said the 30-year-old riding the bike - believed to be a Harley-Davidson - was killed.

The second crash was on Kopaki Rd, near Waitomo, about 4pm and left 38-year-old James Aitken, dead. His wife, 36, was riding pillion.

She suffered multiple injuries and was taken to Waikato Hospital by the Youthtown Trust Rescue Helicopter.

Last night she was in a serious condition in the hospital's high dependence unit.

Traffic around the Tairua crash was backed up for several hours while emergency services cleared the scene.

Many cars were heading to the Tairua Wine and Food Festival.

Cooks Beach resident Jason Bennett, who was caught in the traffic on his way home, said the bridge was in a shocking condition. "The asphalt's always peeling off it."

Bennett said motorists approaching the bridge from Tairua had right of way but it was round a blind corner after a long, fast stretch of road.

This month, Tairua-Pauanui Community Board co-deputy chairman Chris New said the bridge, and two others in the area, should be made two-way.

Locals say they are unsuited to the large amount of holiday traffic.