A Waipukurau shearer found dead in his car by two mountain bikers has been described as "multi-talented" by his rugby teammates.
Father of four Trinity Abraham Waitere, 39, who was killed after his car descended a bank on Takapau Rd sometime on Tuesday, would be "sorely missed", Takapau Rugby Football Club president Carl Lynch said.
"He was the type of guy who would walk up to anyone and put a smile on their face. He was a great guy and really well thought of in the club."
It's understood Mr Waitere's northbound car veered off the right-hand side of the road before descending a bank and hitting a tree.
Cyclists who came across the car about 6pm, discovered a young pit bull puppy had survived the crash. It was taken to the SPCA before being collected by family members.
In earlier reports Mr Waitere's mother, Verna, said her son may have been distracted by having the puppy in the car.
She said three of her son's children, all under 13, live in Australia with a former partner, while his 2-year-old son lives in Takapau.
Known as "Trin", the shearer was one of seven siblings.
Friend Nigel Young described his mate as a "gun shearer" and "a man's man".
"He liked to have a good time," Mr Young said.
"I saw him last on Saturday at our [rugby] game. He didn't play but he'd brought his son along to watch."
Mr Waitere's division II team would cancel this weekend's game against Otane to attend his tangi. "It's a shame as he would have loved to play Otane, but I guess it wasn't to be."
Waipukurau Sergeant Ross Gilbert said the crash investigation was "a difficult one".
"There's no witnesses so we don't have a lot of information at this stage," he said.
Emergency services said the engine of Mr Waitere's late model Mitsubishi GL was found cold, which meant the car had been off the road for at least one hour.
"We're still confident it was there for less than 24 hours," Mr Gilbert said. Investigators were waiting on forensic results to see if alcohol could be ruled out, he said.
Mr Waitere's tangi will be held this Saturday at Matahiwi Marae, Clive.
Puppy may be cause of fatal Hawke's Bay crash
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