Police have named the motorcyclist who died after losing control of his bike before smashing into an oncoming car on State Highway near Hampden in North Otago.
John Alexander Horn, from Invercargill, was travelling north, about 2km north of Hampden, at 2.45pm yesterday when he lost control in rain, crossed the centre line and hit an oncoming southbound car, police say.
"There had been a rain shower ... and it appears the rain was a factor,'' Acting Sergeant Blair Corlet, of Oamaru, said last night.
"The motorcycle slide has gone over the double yellow lines and hit the oncoming car.''
A St John spokesman said Mr Horn died at the scene.
The female occupants of the car - the driver aged 59 and passenger aged 89 - were taken to Oamaru Hospital by ambulance with minor injuries.
The pair were distressed by the crash, Acting Sgt Corlet said.
"They are definitely shaken. [The 89-year-old] is being held overnight [in hospital] for observations and medical treatment.''
Senior Constbale Ross Lory said the crash closed State Highway 1 for several hours as emergency services pieced together the incident.
One lane reopened to traffic just before 6pm and the highway was reopened about 7pm.
A police serious crash investigator is carrying out a scene examination. Those investigations would not affect traffic today.
Police have spoken to one eye-witness, who was travelling behind the southbound car.
"She gave us as much information as we had - it appears that the bike was wobbling and crossed the centre line,'' Snr Const Lory said.
Traffic backed up for several kilometres yesterday while the road was closed, causing delays for many motorists.
Snr Const Lory thanked members of the public for their patience.
The death has been referred to the Coronor.
