Colombia's highest ranking diplomat to New Zealand is recovering in hospital from serious injuries after being thrown from his Harley-Davidson on to a busy Auckland road.
Juan Carlos Cadena Silva, the Consul General at the Consulate of Colombia in Auckland, told the New Zealand Herald the last thing he recalls from Friday evening's crash was waking up in the middle of Tamaki Dr.
"The only thing I remember is seeing this car crash into the car in front of me ... and then I woke up and had a couple of people asking me questions. I don't know if I was able to brake or what? So I guess I didn't."
The diplomat broke his right ankle and left wrist in the crash, and was awaiting further surgery in Auckland City Hospital.
NZME employee Dean Buchanan also found himself in the middle of the crash about 5.15pm. He told the Herald a car came hurtling towards him as he was driving towards Mission Bay near Kelly Tarlton's aquarium.
"A Toyota coming from the other direction driving between two lines of traffic ... loses it on the corner and smashes into me."
Mr Buchanan said Mr Cadena Silva's motorcycle careened into the back of his car, sending the diplomat flying through the air and over the top of the car.
Leaving his car through the passenger door, Mr Buchanan said he could see Mr Cadena Silva lying on the ground.
He quickly rushed to help, holding Mr Cadena Silva's head and stabilising him until an ambulance arrived. Mr Buchanan suffered minor injuries in the crash.
Mr Buchanan said despite his apparent serious injuries, Mr Cadena Silva was more concerned about the state of his Harley-Davidson. Mr Buchanan's Porsche was also seriously damaged.
Mr Cadena Silva, who has ridden motorcycles since he was 13 and often rides for fun on a Friday, said he was travelling to St Heliers to meet his wife and two children for ice cream.
He said his diplomatic post, which began in April 2013, was due to end this year.
A police spokeswoman said the "car that is suspected to have been at fault spun out and hit a motorcyclist".
Inquiries were ongoing and police were awaiting the results of the driver's blood tests, she said.
