A man involved in a fatal vehicle-related incident in Napier had been car-surfing before he fell off and died.

Police confirmed the man was travelling on a mattress on top of a black station wagon when he fell off and died.

A man was reported unresponsive on the road on Nuffield Ave in Napier around 9pm on December 27.

“Efforts to resuscitate the man were unsuccessful and he died at the scene,” a policespokesperson said yesterday.

The vehicle had travelled from the Mārewa shops on Kennedy Road along Nuffield Ave to the point of impact – between the intersections of Kettle Crescent and Nash Street, police said in a statement.

“As part of piecing together what has happened that has led to this tragic outcome, police are appealing to the public for information.”

“We would like anyone who saw this vehicle, and/or the man travelling on it, to come forward.”