Tributes flow for quad bike victim

Athenberry Orchard, where Yvonne Rogers suffered a fatal accident last Friday. Photo / George Novak

Tributes are pouring in for former St John Ambulance Service stalwart volunteer Yvonne Rogers.

Mrs Rogers, 58, tragically killed in a quad bike accident at Athenberry Orchard in Athenree last Friday, had clocked up 17 years' service as a St John volunteer.

The kiwifruit contractor was found dead under her quad bike hours after staff reported her missing.

Yvonne was very great lady and loyal friend. She was always a helpful and a community-spirited woman. Having clocked up 17-odd years as an unpaid volunteer with St John's shows the sort of person she was.

Collin Singleton, friend

Her only child, daughter Jenelle, was too distraught to speak about her mother's death.

Mrs Rogers' late husband Warren was understood to have died about 12 years ago.

Colin Gaskell, former workmate and neighbour of eight years, said: "Yvonne was a wonderful person and a great neighbour. She was always very helpful to anyone who needed it. It's very tragic end for a wonderful person."

Mr Gaskell said he had recently spent the spring and summer working with Mrs Rogers at Just Avocados before she began working at Agfirst Bay of Plenty.

Katikati resident and close friend Collin Singleton said he and his partner had known Mrs Rogers for several years, and their friendship began through his partner's association with St John.

Mr Singleton said their last contact with Mrs Roger was on May 9.

"Yvonne was very happy and bubbly when she called in to drop off a birthday present for my partner.

"She told us she was loving her new job which she started a few months ago and I noted she was looking rosy, bright and upbeat."

Mr Singleton said he and his partner were shocked and saddened to learn of Mrs Roger's death.

"Yvonne was very great lady and loyal friend. She was always a helpful and a community-spirited woman. Having clocked up 17-odd years as an unpaid volunteer with St John's shows the sort of person she was. Yvonne was really well thought of and much loved by people who knew her."

St John Western Bay of Plenty territory manager Ross Clarke also paid tribute to Mrs Rogers.

She was a volunteer for St John since 1998 until she resigned in December last year. In that time she volunteered in a number of areas - Tairua, Katikati, Thames and Tauranga.

"Yvonne was a valued member of the local St John team and our thoughts go out to her family at this very sad time," Mr Clarke said.

A WorkSafe New Zealand spokesman confirmed an investigation into the incident was under way, but said the initial findings suggested Mrs Rogers was using the quad bike on sloping terrain when the bike rolled on top of her.

The death had also been referred to the coroner.

A funeral service for Mrs Rogers will be held at Tauranga Park on May 23.