[ad_1]
Braden Fastier / Stuff
A mountain biker on the Kaka trail near Nelson died suddenly Saturday afternoon.
A cyclist on one of Nelson’s mountain bike trails died after an accident.
A police spokeswoman said the police witnessed the sudden death at the Kākā mountain bike trail in Hira forest on Saturday afternoon.
A person, believed to be a man, had crashed, however it was unclear if the death was directly related to the accident or if the rider had a medical event.
A spokesperson for St John confirmed that they had attended the incident, but referred any additional questions to the police.
READ MORE:
* Aorere Enduro mountain bike event ready to re-ignite after forced cancellation by fire
* A muddy ending to the Nelson Mountain Bike Club winter series
Nelson Mountainbike Club president Mel Schroder said Sunday morning that while he was aware of the incident, the club would not comment at this time.
Later, the club posted on social media that the trail was now tapu and that local iwi Ngāti Koata had placed a rāhui on it.
The trail would remain closed until Tuesday. Out of respect, he asked that no one ride or walk the trail.
The track is part of a series of trails in the Sharlands Valley, a tributary of the Maitai River. The Kākā slope is grade five or six, which is the equivalent of a double black ski slope. It is a technical downhill trail.
