A spate of motorcycle deaths this weekend has prompted police to issue a plea for riders to be careful.
Four people were killed in three separate crashes on Saturday, November 17. All three crashes are under investigation by the Serious Crash Unit.
One motorcyclist died on Saturday while participating in a charity race on the West Coast to pay tribute to the 29 men who died in the 2010 Pike River Mine disaster.
Two others were killed in eerily similar circumstances after three motorcycles crashed in a Southland charity ride that same day. The Southern Brotherhood Motorcycle Club organised the event to raise money for a local couple whose unborn baby suffers from a heart condition.
As well as the two fatalities from the crash, two other people were in hospital in a serious condition, Stuff reports.
The fourth death was the result of a motorcycle crash in Henderson, west Auckland, which killed the rider at the scene.
Superintendent Steve Greally, national manager road policing, called it a "tragic weekend".
"All road users need to be in a position to react quickly and safely if someone makes a mistake in front of you," he said in a statement.
"We need motorcycle riders not to take risks. Going too fast for the conditions or undertaking unsafe passing manoeuvres can have tragic consequences both for riders and those sharing the road with them."
He said other motorists also have a responsibility to help motorcyclists stay safe on the roads, and all drivers should be looking twice at intersections and before changing lanes.
"Too many people have lost family members and loved ones this weekend already," he said.
"Regardless of whether you're on a motorbike or in a car, if you're out on the road today, please look out for each other so no more lives are lost unnecessarily."
Newshub.
