Speeding biker found crashed in ditch

A 29-year-old motorcyclist was arrested near Owaka yesterday evening, after police found him crashed in a roadside ditch, more than 200km south of where he was first seen allegedly travelling at excessive speeds.

Inspector Mike Coulter, from the Christchurch police communications centre, said the Invercargill man had been charged with failing to stop and travelling at dangerous speeds. Police would not be drawn on actual speeds, but independent sources suggest the man was travelling at up to 170kmh.

A police patrol first sighted him riding his unwarranted and unregistered Yamaha motorcycle at excessive speed on State Highway 1, near Maheno, about 3.45pm, Insp Coulter said.

The following police patrol lost sight of his bike after about two minutes, Insp Coulter said. He was then seen at Palmerston and again by highway patrols on SH1 at Waitati, but police did not pursue him because of his speed and road conditions at the time.

The motorcyclist ignored a police patrol on the outskirts of Balclutha, which signalled for him to stop about 5.45pm, Insp Coulter said.

About 15 minutes later, the police patrol came across the man after he lost control of his bike and crashed into a roadside ditch about 5km north of Owaka. He was not injured and was still being interviewed by Balclutha police about 9.15pm as they considered laying further charges against him.