An 18-year-old skateboarder has died after crashing at about 40 kilometres an hour during a downhill race on Auckland's North Shore.
The man was racing in a heat of four at the Sugar Factory Outlaw competition at Birkenhead when he lost control of his longboard just after midday on Sunday.
The competition was being held on Colonial Road, which leads down to the Chelsea Sugar Refinery.
The man, who has not been named, was coming out of a corner when he cartwheeled and landed on the back of his head, Sergeant Andrew Wright told 3News.
Medical staff could not save him.
Skaters must wear helmets in the competition and police say they are treating the man's death as an unfortunate accident.
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