Motorcyclist's death makes five fatals in five weeks

UPDATE: The New England Hwy has claimed another life - the fifth for the year - when a motorcyclist died in a horror smash south of Warwick.

A MOTORCYCLIST has died in an accident on the New England Hwy 10km south of Warwick at 12.30pm Sunday.

The accident is the fifth fatality on the highway between Warwick and the NSW border since January 7 this year and the third in the past eight days.

 Warwick police Sergeant Shane Reid said the male rider was travelling north and collided with a south-bound truck from Warwick.

"The motorcyclist died on the scene," Sgt Reid said.

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"Scenes of Crime and the Traffic Accident Investigation Squad officers are on the scene.

"Police are interviewing a number of witnesses."

Warwick police are still confirming the identity of the rider.

The driver of the truck was taken by ambulance to hospital but did not have any serious physical injuries.

Warwick Road Policing Unit officer-in-charge Sergeant Ross Waugh said initial investigations suggested the bike crossed to the incorrect side of the road.

Emergency services at the scene of a fatal motorbike crash on the New England Hwy. Picture: Gerard Walsh

A fire, about 20sq m in size, started at the scene of the accident and was put out by witnesses with help from a unit from the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service Warwick station which was first on the scene.

There were six police officers with four vehicles on the scene.

The highway remains closed with motorists advised to take alternative routes from Warwick to Stanthorpe.

There is some dirt road on two of the possible routes.

Sgt Reid used the word "hours" to indicate the likely time the New England Highway would be closed. 

Originally published as Motorcyclist's death makes five fatals in five weeks