Sydney solicitor Philip Abigail found dead after coming off motorbike in the Hunter Valley

Balgowlah solicitor Philip Abigail, 75, jumped on his motorbike on Sunday afternoon for a loop around parts of the Hunter as an attempt to alleviate stress from self-isolating at his property at Ellalong, near Cessnock. He was found dead on Monday morning.

Philip Abigail was found dead at Wollombi Rd, Broke. Picture: Google Maps

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A Solicitor who sparked an air and land search after disappearing on a Hunter ride has been found dead in a suspected crash.

Philip Abigail, 75, jumped on his motorbike on Sunday afternoon for a loop around parts of the Hunter as an attempt to alleviate stress from self-isolating at his property at Ellalong, near Cessnock.

But when he failed to return, relatives contacted police.

A police helicopter was tasked from Sydney to search for Mr Abigail as Hunter Valley police searched along known roads popular with bike riders.

The search was suspended on Sunday night and a motorist discovered Mr Abigail’s body off Wollombi Rd at Broke, about 35km south-west of Singleton, about 9.30am on Monday.

A crime scene was set up and forensic police were called out, although it is believed Mr Abigail crashed his bike and died.

Whether he suffered a medical condition which contributed to him falling off his bike, or whether he simply lost control of the machine, is still to be determined.

Police have pleaded for anyone who may have seen Mr Abigail, who was riding a black Suzuki 1000, to contact investigators.

Mr Abigail was a solicitor who was based at Ellalong and Balgowlah, on Sydney’s northern beaches.