Driver located in fatal hit and run with cyclist

Between about 6.30 pm and 7.30 pm on Thursday the 6th August 2009 a cyclist was hit by a car while riding south on the Springston Leeston Road, between Goulds Road and Bethels Road, near Chamberlains Ford.

At about 7.30 pm a woman motorist saw the bike on the side of the road while driving past and stopped to look. She found a male person dead on the side of the road a short distance from the bike. Police attended the scene.

The deceased is a 31 year old man from overseas. He was temporarily living locally. Next of Kin have not been located and the name will not be released until this is done. The name will probably be released on Saturday.

As a result of initial investigation Police located the vehicle involved in this hit and run at an address some 20 kilometres from the scene.

Two males in their twenties have been spoken to and Police are satisfied that one of these men was the driver of the vehicle that hit the cyclist. No charges have been laid at this stage until the investigation is completed.

The Springston Leeston Road has been closed from 7.30 pm last night until 2.00 p.m. today while a scene examination has been carried out.

Police would like to hear from anyone who may have seen a cyclist on Springston Leeston Road between 6.30 pm and 7.30 pm on Thursday the 6th August. he was wearing a reflectorised jacket and riding a dark coloured cycle. If anyone has any information please contract Detective Sergeant Tarawhiti at Southern area CIB, phone 363 7400.