The tight-knit Mid Canterbury town of Ashburton is in mourning after local rider Austin Shaw was killed in a motorcycle crash on State Highway 1 near Hinds on Tuesday afternoon.
Emergency services were called to the scene just after 3:30 p.m. when Shaw’s south-bound Harley-Davidson collided with a north-bound stock truck.
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Despite the best efforts of Hato Hone St John paramedics and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter crew, the 38-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.
Locals say the stretch of road, known to riders as one of the best straight-line blasts in Canterbury, was one of Austin’s favourite runs. “He’d head out after work, visor up, big grin, just chasing the horizon,” said friend and fellow rider Caleb Morrison. “That roar when he fired up the Harley outside the Tin Shed—you always knew Austin was rolling through town.”
Known simply as “Shawy” around the district, Austin grew up on a sheep and crop farm outside Ashburton, worked as a diesel mechanic at the local Case IH dealership, and could fix anything with two wheels and an engine. Weekends meant club rides with the Mid Canterbury Motorcycle Club, charity toy runs, or long solo missions to Lake Tekapo and beyond.
“He lived for the road,” his sister Brooke wrote in a heartbreaking Facebook tribute. “The wind, the mountains, the freedom… that’s where he was happiest. We take comfort knowing he went doing exactly what he loved.”
The crash has rocked the South Island biking community. Flowers and a single black helmet now sit at the crash site, while the Ashburton RSA has opened its doors for an informal wake this evening. Riders from as far as Invercargill are already planning a memorial ride in his honour.
Police have confirmed the Serious Crash Unit investigation is ongoing and have appealed for any witnesses or dash-cam footage.
Austin is survived by his parents, Ross and Karen Shaw, sister Brooke, brother Logan, and a huge extended family of mates who called him brother.
Ride in peace, Shawy. The road won’t sound the same without you. 🏍️🖤