Police are working to identify the man who was killed after being hit by a truck on State Highway 2 near Te Puna this morning.

Police were called to the scene, around 100m south of Ainsworth Road, shortly after 7am.

Police were called to SH2 near Ainsworth Road this morning.

Tauranga Police Sergeant Wayne Hunter says the man had been walking north on SH2 when he somehow stepped out in front of a school bus.

'The bus driver managed to avoid him,' says Wayne, 'but the truck, a Downer's road truck following the bus, didn't.

'The man died at the scene.”

The stretch of highway was closed for around one-and-a-half hours as police and other emergency services worked to clear the scene.

Wayne says the road is now open.

'We are working to establish the man's identity at this stage,” he adds.

'He was only wearing shorts and a t-shirt. He looks like he could be in his 50s or 60s.”

Police are keen to trace the driver of a vehicle that was travelling behind a bus on that stretch of road in the direction of Katikati, as they may have useful witness information.

The bus braked sharply and the vehicle following it had to go around the bus to continue its journey.

Police are asking the driver of the vehicle following the bus, and anyone else who may have information to assist the crash investigation, to contact Tauranga Police on: 07 577 4300.

Were you behind a bus that had to brake suddenly on SH2 Te Puna today? You may be able to help a fatal crash inquiry http://t.co/nxGfwc4Brl

— Bay of Plenty Police (@BOPPolice) January 29, 2015