A two-year-old has died following a collision between a motorbike and five pedestrians in Palmerston North, police confirmed.
Emergency services were called to the crash on Pioneer Highway, near Amberley Ave, about 7.02pm on Friday.
Police have confirmed the motorbike rider was on a shared walking and cycling track when they hit the pedestrians.
- 2yo dies after motorbike crashes into group of pedestrians in Palmerston North
- Two-year-old dies after late-night crash involving motorbike and five pedestrians
The walkway stretches 4-kilometres along Pioneer Highway to Longburn, a small settlement to the southwest of the city, and is popular among dog walkers, runners and cyclists.
A motorist, who saw the aftermath as ambulances were arriving, said he saw the motorcyclist sprawled motionless near a dirt bike on the city border.
It was dark at the site of the crash, but he had his helmet on.
The motorist, who wishes to remain anonymous, couldn't see any injured pedestrians and feared the motorcyclist hit a tree.
"He was lying there with his arms along the ground, not moving."
A neighbour in the area said Pioneer Highway was no stranger to flashing lights and police chases.
He observed a police chase last year in May, where two teenagers were killed near Longburn after hitting a power pole while evading police in a stolen vehicle.
The police investigation in Friday's crash is ongoing.
Initial reports on Friday evening were that one person had critical injuries and two others sustained moderate injuries in the crash.
The highway was closed with diversions in place on Friday night, but reopened by 10pm.
