Fatal crash closed section of motorway overnight

Counties Manukau Police say a motorcyclist has died following a crash on the Southern Motorway near Ōtara on Thursday night.

At the time, on January 22, a police motorways unit was carrying out radar speed detection on the southbound lanes of State Highway 1 near Ōtara.

“At around 11.15pm, the unit has detected a motorcycle travelling south at high speed,” says Superintendent Shanan Gray, the Counties Manukau Police district commander.

“Police signalled it to stop. However, it continued travelling at high speed.

“The unit has not pursued the motorcycle and came to a stop at the side of the motorway.

“A short time later, the unit moved off and continued travelling south when it has been flagged down by the driver of an attenuator truck, after the motorcycle had collided into the rear of his vehicle just north of the East Tamaki Road motorway off-ramp.

“Sadly, the male rider has sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene,” says Gray.

A full closure of the southbound lanes of SH1 was put in place, and traffic was diverted off the motorway.

“Overnight, a scene examination was carried out, and the man’s body has been removed,” says Gray.

“The lanes reopened shortly before 5am [today, January 23].

“Support is being put in place for our officers who were working last night.”

Gray says an investigation is now under way into the fatal crash, and as standard procedure the Independent Police Conduct Authority will be notified of the incident.

“Formal identification procedures will need to be carried out, and support will be put in place for the man’s next of kin.”