A 40-year-old man has died after sustaining serious injuries in a multi-vehicle collision on Sunday night.

It marked the first death on the island’s roads this year.

According to Initial reports, the collision appeared to involve three motorcycles and a motor car.

But police said yesterday that there were four motorbikes and a car involved in the crash at about 11.45pm on South Road in Southampton.

Police said that the man was riding a motorcycle eastward when he reportedly attempted to overtake a car travelling in the same direction near the Henry VIII restaurant.

He collided with three bikes coming from the other direction.

The rider was found unresponsive at the scene by police and other emergency responders.

He was attended to by EMTs and taken by ambulance to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for treatment, but pronounced dead.

One of the oncoming motorcycle riders sustained a broken arm. He was also taken to hospital, and police said at 1.30pm that at last check, he was being prepared for surgery although his injury is not considered life-threatening.

A police spokesman said: “It remains unclear whether any of the other two motorcycle riders headed west were injured in the collision, as they rode away from the scene on one of the bikes involved.”

The road was closed to be forensically processed, and police thanked the public for their patience and co-operation.

An investigation continues, and anyone with information is asked to call Sergeant Francis Blackman on 717-2408 or via e-mail at fblackman@bps.bm.

The public can also use the main police number, 295-0011, the non-emergency reporting number, 211, or call Crime Stoppers on 800-8477.

Alternatively, information can be shared with a familiar police officer.