Colleagues devasted after employee dies in crash

Davd James Hills, aged 22, died in a crash at Atiamuri. Photo / Supplied

Work colleagues are devastated after one of their most valued employees at the Manawatu farm service centre was killed in a weekend horror smash in the central North Island.

RD1 regional manager Anthony Spence said the closeknit team at the Longburn store were in shock today to learn popular assistant manager David Hills had been killed on Saturday travelling back to Palmerston North with friends in a crash with a truck that left their car barely recognisable.

"It's a pretty sombre mood today at RDI Longburn," said Mr Spence.

"He was the lifeblood of the team and always put a smile on everybody's face."

Mr Spence said in the six months since joining the Manawatu team the outgoing 22-year-old had forged a strong place in the team.

"If there was ever anybody organising the fun stuff in a work environment, the Movembers and all that sort of thing, it was David.

"He just always had a massive smile on his face.

"He will be really sadly missed."

Mr Hills, Michael Soo, 23, and Jessie Nicholson, 23, were killed when the car they were in slid into the path of a container truck and became wedged under the cab at about 2pm on Saturday.

He had taken annual leave in the days before the crash.

Friends of the crash victims also began posting tributes on social media.

School friend Frazer Oriley wrote on Facebook: "To my main man Mike and David, you two were far to young to past like this without any warning. You were the 4th person to past away in this year I have known. Seeing pictures of you with the guys shows me how Precious life is. Can everyone be safe on the roads please, I don't know if I can handle another. Rip Mike Tiberius Soo and David Hills [sic]."

Stanley Harris posted: "Just found out a good mate has been taken from us, 3 years ago me and you stripped up for TK you were a good lad taken far too soon fly high David Hills you will be missed never lose that mongrel R.I.P mate."