Bell Block Police have released the name of the man who died in a crash near Bell Block this morning, Thursday 13th February 2014. He was Bruce Atkin, 63, a Canadian living just near bell Block. Emergency services were called to the intersection of Egmont Rd and Bishop Rd about 7:20am where a heavy truck, car and motorcyle had crashed. Mr Atkin was the driver of the car and he died at the scene. Sergeant George White of the New Plymouth Traffic Safety Group said it appeared the car had pulled out of Bishop Rd in front of the truck. The truck attempted to stop but was too close and jackknifed, colliding with the car, he said. The motorcyclist was travelling down Egmont Rd and lay his bike down and skidded on the road before crashing into the grass verge to avoid the crash. The road was blocked and south-bound traffic was being diverted to Katere Rd and north-bound to Dorset Rd but the road is now clear and has reopened. The Serious Crash Unit from Palmerston North is attending.
