A motorbike rider has died after he was struck by two cars, including a police vehicle, on Sydney’s M4 motorway in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
The motorcyclist was travelling east along the M4 near Church Street at Parramatta, in Sydney’s west, when he collided with a white sedan at about 2am on Wednesday.
The rider was thrown from his bike and onto the road when a marked police vehicle from Cumberland Police Area Command then struck him.
Police immediately started CPR until paramedics arrived at the scene.
The man, who is yet to be identified, was rushed to Westmead Hospital but could not be revived.
The driver of the sedan and a male Senior Constable were also taken to Westmead Hospital for mandatory testing.
‘The police vehicle was not on urgent duty and did not have lights or sirens activated at the time,’ NSW Police said.
‘There had been no interaction with and no pursuit of the motorcyclist or any other vehicle.’
‘Initial information is the officers were returning to the station when the incident occurred.’
Police have established a crime scene, and a critical incident team — including officers from Auburn Police and the Crash Investigation Unit — is investigating the incident.
The investigation will be the subject of an independent review by the Professional Standards Command and oversight by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
Anyone with information about the incident or who has dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Investigators closed all eastbound lanes between Cumberland Highway and Burnett Street in Merrylands on Wednesday morning.
Motorists were urged to avoid the area, or allow extra time for travel, while the closure remained in place.
Heavier vehicles were advised to use the Cumberland Highway, Great Western Highway, Church Street, Parramatta Road, and James Ruse Drive to return to the motorway.
Light vehicles were instructed to use Cumberland Highway, Great Western Highway, and Burnett Street to return to the M4 Motorway.
Congestion was banked up for at least 10km for the morning commute, with queues stretching to Huntingwood.
‘The M4 Motorway will remain closed citybound at Merrylands due to this fatal car and motorcycle crash,’ Live Traffic NSW wrote in an update shortly after 7am.
‘Traffic is heavy and all motorists should allow extra travel time and use an alternative route as ongoing police investigations are expected to take some time.’
There is no forecast of when the road will reopen.