TRACY NEAL, SASHA BORISSENKO AND HELEN MURDOCH

CONSCIENTIOUS CHARACTER: Gary Wakefield died in one of two tractor accidents in the Nelson region yesterday.

The Motueka community is mourning the loss of a loyal and committed worker, friend and family man, Gary Wakefield, who was killed when the tractor he was driving rolled on a Lower Moutere property.

His wife Pam said today he was a man who helped everyone around him.

The accident at 8.25am at an orchard in Seaview Rd was one of three around the country yesterday involving tractors, with another one at Tapawera in the afternoon, and another in Hawke's Bay.

It was one of four serious accidents so far this month, including another fatality earlier this month when a 63-year-old North Canterbury farmer, Colin Nairn, died after being crushed by a tractor.

Worksafe NZ strategic communications manager Mark Scott said an inspector had visited the scene where Wakefield, 67, died, and an official investigation was under way.

The accident was difficult to fathom, property co-owner Ashton Wood said.

"Whatever happened was very unusual. He was so careful and never took any risks."

Wood described Wakefield as a close personal friend who he had known for nearly 40 years.

Read more here:
'Very careful' handyman killed

Related Posts
January 15, 2014 at 1:06 pm by Mr HomeBuilder
Category: Handyman Services