A 21-year-old man has died in a crash at Cessnock, becoming the latest victim in a spate of motorbike fatalities in the Hunter this year.
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The man became the seventh person to die in a motorbike crash in the region since January, promoting a warning from police.
Hunter highway patrol supervisor Senior Sergeant Tony Grace urged motorcyclists to drive defensively.
“Motorbike riders need to take due care and be aware that other drivers may find them hard to see from time to time,” Senior Sergeant Tony Grace said.
Senior Sergeant Tony Grace also urged ordinary motorists to “be aware that motorcycles are around them at all times and make sure they check their blind spots before changing lanes”.
“It’s worth taking a second look before you move out from a side street, just to be sure,” he said.
The latest incident – involving the 21-year-old – occurred shortly after 3pm on Saturday, police said.
The motorcycle left the road in Subiaco Avenue and crashed into a fence. The rider was taken to John Hunter Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Central Hunter Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash and appealing for any witnesses to come forward. A report will be prepared for the coroner.
The incident follows a youth dying after his motorbike hit a parked car at 3am last Friday on Budgeree Drive, at Aberglasslyn.
“The rider wasn’t wearing a helmet and, as a result of the collision, suffered fatal injuries,” Central Hunter Local Police duty officer Peter Vromans said at the time.
The youth was allegedly riding an unregistered Honda, which police described as a “postie bike”.
A motorcyclist also died in a crash in September on the Great North Road at Fernances Crossing, near Wollombi.
In August, a motorbike crash claimed the life of one teenager and seriously injured another on Commission Road, Jerrys Plains.
A Nissan Patrol was travelling north when it rounded a bend and collided head-on with two 17-year-olds on motorbikes.
One of the riders was thrown from his bike and died at the scene. The second rider suffered serious injuries including fractures to his skull, arm and lower legs, as well as internal injuries.
In July, a 31-year-old man died when his motorbike hit a four-wheel drive on Bingeburra Road, Sugarloaf, just west of Dungog.
That same month a male motorcyclist died after a crash at the exit ramp between the M1 Motorway and Newcastle Link Road.
In January, a 44-year-old motorcyclist died after a crash on the Bucketts Way, near Stroud, after he hit a ute travelling in the opposite direction.
In June, NSW Police and Ambulance appealed to all road users to exercise greater caution after it was revealed 33 people had been killed in motorcycle accidents on NSW roads this year.
The report said the Hunter and New England area had the highest number of motorcycle incidents, 1538, attended by ambulance since 2013.
Police figures had shown the number of motorcycles and scooters on NSW roads had risen 216 per cent over 16 years.
Anyone with information about the latest fatality at Cessnock can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit information at nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.