Fatal workplace incident

Police and other emergency services were called to a property at Honikiwi Rd, Otorohanga about 1150 this morning 5 January 2012,

A local 48 year old farmer died while working to drop a 40 metre pine tree, using an 11 tonne excavator and a bulldozer. The tree fell after a hole was dug around it and fell earlier than expected, landing on the cab of the excavator. The farmer was trapped as a result.

Ambulance staff found that the farmer had died.

Work is now underway to lift the tree off the excavator and recover the deceased.