College farewells popular caretaker

Orewa College 1st XV rugby team members perform their haka during the funeral for Richard Nel. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Several hundred friends, family and students gathered yesterday for the funeral of Orewa College caretaker Rick Nel.

Mr Nel, 59, died after a boiler explosion at the Hibiscus Coast school last week.

Another worker injured in the blast - a Tubman Heating Services contractor - was last night in a satisfactory condition in Auckland City Hospital.

About 200 people filled the Long Bay Baptist Church on the North Shore for the afternoon service.

Orewa College closed so students could attend the funeral.

Tomorrow, Mr Nel's former workplace, Glamorgan School in Torbay, will dedicate a new hall to his memory.

Yesterday, mourners spilled on to the church driveway as tributes were read to the Zimbabwean, described by those who knew him as "loving", "hard-working", "stubborn" and "positive".

The Department of Labour is investigating the cause of the June 24 explosion, which blew hot liquid and debris into the air.

The force of the blast shook classrooms throughout the school.

Staff and pupils described hearing a loud "cracking" or "thud-like" noise that some initially thought was construction boise from the new arts and events centre.

Others were more alarmed.

Mr Nel was working on the boiler room roof at the time of the explosion, and received burns to 90 per cent of his body and serious head injuries.

He died at Middlemore Hospital the next day.

Another contractor was treated for shock but was uninjured.

None of the school's 1600 students was hurt.

Pastor Rodney Duncan said Mr Nel was a "glass half-full sort of person", who always looked on the bright side.

Others reckoned he was always looking for a laugh.

Mr Nel was a farmer in Zimbabwe, spent time in the Army and later became a father and a keen fisherman, and tales of his fishing exploits came thick and fast throughout the funeral.

The Orewa College choir sang Sia Hamba before Pastor Duncan offered condolences to Mr Nel's widow, Kathy, son Gareth and daughters Vicky and Ashleigh.

Members of the Orewa College 1st XV rugby team performed a haka as Mr Nel's body was taken away.