Lakes News:

Ruatahuna man dies in logging truck crash.

A Ruatahuna man is dead after a logging truck crash in the Kaingaroa forest.

Victor Ripia, 49, of Ruatahuna died when his logging truck rolled 25 meters down a bank in the Kaingaroa Forest.

Emergency services were called to the scene at about 11am yesterday morning. The crash occurred on Forestry Road 6,  between Kaingaroa and Reporoa, 47km south of Rotorua. 
A fire communications spokesperson said emergency services from Kaingaroa, Murupara and Rotorua were called to the crash scene at about 11.00am. 



A spokesman for Kaingaroa rural fire said another truck called in the crash and when we got to the scene  it was evident the fully loaded truck had gone over the steep bank.  


"It is a tragedy for our community and whanau." says Whitiaua Ropitini a whanau member.


"When we first heard the news we were shocked and we didn't believe it was true. Uncle Victor was an experienced truck driver and has been driving for years so it was a huge shock for all of us."


"A tangi  will held at our marae Te Wai Iti" She says. 


Police are investigating the crash. 




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