Gisborne man killed in forestry machinery accident

Police have named a Gisborne man as the person killed in a fatal accident in rural Wairoa.

One person died and another was seriously injured after an incident involving a vehicle on a private road near Ruakituri Rd, Ruakituri, about 12.40pm on Wednesday.

Police said the person who died was 29-year-old Daniel James Low of Gisborne.

Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Brent Griffiths said the injured man was also from Gisborne.

“A forestry log hauler was being loaded on to a transporter owned and operated by a Gisborne firm when it happened,” Griffiths said.

“It’s believed a safety mechanism has failed and part of the machine caught two men nearby.”

Low died at the scene, while the other person was airlifted to Hawke’s Bay Hospital in a serious condition.

The injured man was reportedly in a stable condition.

Griffiths said the matter had been referred to the coroner and WorkSafe had also been notified.

“Victim Support referrals have been completed and they are working alongside the families.”

A WorkSafe spokesman said it had been notified of a fatal incident and was carrying out initial inquiries.

It was not a formal investigation at this stage.