One of the fastest things ever seen - Biker killed in police chase
A motorcyclist who was killed after a police chase in Palmerston North last night ended in a high-speed crash has been named.
Martyn Dillon, 22, of Paraparaumu, was killed after racing away from police and losing control of the stolen 1000CC Kawasaki road bike he was riding in Palmerston North on Saturday night.
A 17-year-old pillion passenger – who was not wearing a helmet – was in a stable condition in hospital last night. She suffered multiple broken bones and internal injuries.
Police believe Mr Dillon lost control of the bike on the corner of Milson Line and John F Kennedy Drive, near Palmerston North Airport, before crashing over a raised roundabout and into a fence. He died at the scene.
Crash scene investigators are yet to determine exactly what caused the accident or what speeds the bike reached.
But witnesses told police the speed was extreme, with one describing it as "the fastest thing they've ever seen". Another thought the bike was a performance car because of the roar coming from the high-revving engine.
Palmerston North area commander Pat Handcock said the bike, stolen from Wellington, was seen speeding down Ruahine St before stopping at traffic lights at 11.15pm.
A police car pulled in behind the bike and the officers switched on their lights and siren to pull the rider over.
Mr Handcock said before the patrol car could move, the bike "accelerated at very high speeds" out of view and then crashed about 500 metres further along Milson Line.
"It appears that the police patrol lost contact with the motorcyclist almost immediately due to the heavy acceleration of the motorcycle," Mr Handcock said. "The attempt to stop the motorcyclist was momentary."
The crash will be reported to the Independent Police Conduct Authority. Palmerston North CIB is also investigating.
Dillon was believed to have been at a party in Palmerston North before the crash.
It was the third serious motorbike accident in the region in less than a week. On Thursday a 42-year-old man was critically injured after losing control of his Harley-Davidson near Eketahuna. He was not wearing a helmet and alcohol was believed to be a factor.
On Friday another motorcyclist was seriously injured when he failed to beat a train at a crossing near Feilding. The impact tore the bike in two.
Source: One of the fastest things ever seen - Biker killed in police chase
Martyn Dillon, 22, of Paraparaumu, was killed after racing away from police and losing control of the stolen 1000CC Kawasaki road bike he was riding in Palmerston North on Saturday night.
A 17-year-old pillion passenger – who was not wearing a helmet – was in a stable condition in hospital last night. She suffered multiple broken bones and internal injuries.
Police believe Mr Dillon lost control of the bike on the corner of Milson Line and John F Kennedy Drive, near Palmerston North Airport, before crashing over a raised roundabout and into a fence. He died at the scene.
Crash scene investigators are yet to determine exactly what caused the accident or what speeds the bike reached.
But witnesses told police the speed was extreme, with one describing it as "the fastest thing they've ever seen". Another thought the bike was a performance car because of the roar coming from the high-revving engine.
Palmerston North area commander Pat Handcock said the bike, stolen from Wellington, was seen speeding down Ruahine St before stopping at traffic lights at 11.15pm.
A police car pulled in behind the bike and the officers switched on their lights and siren to pull the rider over.
Mr Handcock said before the patrol car could move, the bike "accelerated at very high speeds" out of view and then crashed about 500 metres further along Milson Line.
"It appears that the police patrol lost contact with the motorcyclist almost immediately due to the heavy acceleration of the motorcycle," Mr Handcock said. "The attempt to stop the motorcyclist was momentary."
The crash will be reported to the Independent Police Conduct Authority. Palmerston North CIB is also investigating.
Dillon was believed to have been at a party in Palmerston North before the crash.
It was the third serious motorbike accident in the region in less than a week. On Thursday a 42-year-old man was critically injured after losing control of his Harley-Davidson near Eketahuna. He was not wearing a helmet and alcohol was believed to be a factor.
On Friday another motorcyclist was seriously injured when he failed to beat a train at a crossing near Feilding. The impact tore the bike in two.
Source: One of the fastest things ever seen - Biker killed in police chase
