Daughter's grief for 'best father'

A grieving daughter says her upcoming birthday is meaningless without her father, who died as a result of a motorcycle crash on Monday.

Hans Jurgen Zech, aged 52, of Germany was on a 25th wedding celebration tour of New Zealand with his wife when his motorcycle was involved in a collision with a 4WD on Monday. He died that night.

In an email to the Chronicle, Jacqueline Zech wrote from Germany of her grief at losing her father.

"I love my dad so much and will never forget him. He was the best father ever.

"I will be 22 in three weeks and I cannot celebrate it with my dad ... never any more."

Mr Zech and his wife, who was following behind her husband, were in a group of 19 friends heading to Taupo on their motorcycles when the accident happened on the Aberfeldy section of the Parapara, SH4, at 1.30pm on Monday.

The group had just passed though a section of road works that was controlled by traffic lights, diverting all traffic into the southbound (right) lane. At the end of the road works the group moved back to the left, with the exception of Mr Zech.

To avoid an oncoming southbound 4WD, Mr Zech swerved. However, this resulted in him crashing.

Mr Zech was taken to Wanganui Hospital by St John Ambulance but died later from his injuries. Yesterday his body was taken to Palmerston North for a post-mortem examination.

The German Embassy was assisting the family.