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A rider left in a critical condition after crashing just north of Dunedin on Friday had allegedly earlier stolen the motorcycle.
A police spokeswoman told the Otago Daily Times the man had stolen it from someone known to him earlier in the day and he was not being pursued by police at the time of the crash.
The crash occurred between Pine Hill Rd and Leith Valley Rd, about 3.30pm.
The man was the sole rider and no other vehicles were involved.
‘‘Inquiries are ongoing into the circumstances of the crash,’’ the spokeswoman said.
A Hato Hone St John spokeswoman said one person was taken to Dunedin Hospital in a critical condition.
The crash closed State Highway 1 north of Dunedin until about 9.10pm and traffic was diverted down Leith Valley Rd.